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THE  LIBRARY 
OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


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LAST  LETTERS   OF  AUBREY   BEARDSLEY 


LAST    LETTERS 


OF 


AUBREY     BEARDSLEY 


WITH   AN   INTRODUCTORY  NOTE 
BY 

The    Rev.    JOHN     GRAY 


LONGMANS,     GREEN,     AND     CO. 

39   PATERNOSTER   ROW,  LONDON 

NEW   YORK   AND    BOMBAY 

1904 

All  rights  resen'ed 


INTRODUCTION. 

Aubrey  BeARDSLEY,  about  whom  much  has  been 
written  since  his  death  in  the  month  of  March,  1 898,  now 
speaks  for  himself.  His  work,  and  the  appreciations  of 
many  of  his  Hterary  and  artist  friends,  present  together  a 
fairly  complete  picture  of  the  man  whose  engaging  figure 
was  so  familiar  in  London  during  a  very  few  years.  Of 
the  work  there  remains  probably  nothing  to  be  said.  It 
is  certain  that  his  imaginative  gifts  never  showed  a  sign 
of  fatigue  or  exhaustion,  and  it  is  equally  certain  that 
artistically  and  intellectually  he  was  very  far  from  his 
maturity  when  death  came.  What  that  maturity  would 
have  produced  is  a  speculation  as  idle  as  must  be  barren 
any  attempts  to  determine  the  sources  of  his  originality. 
He  was  utterly  devoid  of  any  malevolence  towards  his 
fellow-creatures,  whether  individually  or  collectively. 
He  had  in  his  nature  a  great  possibility  of  affection,  if 
personal  timidity  or  sensitiveness  baulked  its  expression. 
Not  even  the  sternest  of  his  critics  will  deny  his  sin- 
cerity or    his    sobriety,    but  such   an   outspoken  man   as 


vi  INTRODUCTION 

he  was  with  incorrigible  youthfulness  of  spirit  will 
sometimes  shock  the  anxious,  and  arouse  the  suspicion 
that  he  is  perpetrating  a  malicious  mystification  ;  but  it  is 
truer  to  say  that  Beardsley's  chief  preoccupation  was  to 
communicate  in  his  drawings  the  surprise  and  delight 
which  the  visible  world  afforded  himself. 

In  the  midst  of  a  brilliant  career  came  the  shock  of  a 
first  haemorrhage  of  the  lungs,  and  the  cloud  began  to 
gather  which  meant  death  in  the  end.  None  of  his 
personal  friends,  I  think,  doubted  of  the  lamentable  issue 
from  the  first ;  but  all  agreed  to  practise,  as  friends  do, 
the  complacent  hypocrisy  of  buoying  up  the  dejected 
spirit  of  the  young  man.  The  many  delicately  effaced 
themselves,  and  his  intercourse  with  the  world  outside  his 
family  narrowed  rapidly. 

The  letters  now  published  become  consecutive  with 
this  crisis  of  Beardsley's  doomed  life.  Hitherto,  where 
they  are  not  merely  formal,  they  are  jejune  and  fitful, 
with  some  presage  perhaps  of  the  approaching  collapse 
of  health.  What  person  with  any  experience  of  mortal 
sickness  in  men  and  women  will  not  look  a  priori  for 
a  modification  of  character  in  this  rare  soul  under  the 
scourge  of  disease?  The  common  case  which  bears  a 
phenomenal  aspect  is  that  of  a  person  by  nature  selfish 
who  becomes  considerate  of  others  when  the  prop  of  life 
is  struck  at.     Those  whose  lives  happen  to  be  passed 


INTRODUCTION  vii 

among  the  rougher  sort  see  this  pseudo-miracle  in  its 
strong  contrasts.  If  one  lives  upon  the  very  bedrock  of 
primal  human  conditions,  among  rudimentary  actions  and 
passions,  one  finds  the  accretions  of  life  to  be  either  con- 
sonant with  nobility,  purity,  self-sacrifice,  or  sordid  and 
repulsive  beyond  description.  Six  months  of  sinking 
hope  in  life  sometimes  brings  the  two  extremes  into  line. 
Sickness  seems  to  do  what  nothing  else  could.  What 
appears  to  the  observer  is  the  gradual  humiliation  of  the 
physical  economy  being  accompanied  by  the  proportionate 
emancipation  of  the  spiritual.  It  is  a  spectacle  so  moving, 
the  reduction  of  a  coarse  brute  to  a  frank- eyed  youth,  the 
renascence  of  a  gentle-souled  factory-girl,  supposed  to 
have  been  long  ago  drowned  in  drink  and  gone  for  ever, 
from  the  wreck  of  a  wild  virago,  that  in  presence  of  it 
the  words  tuberculosis,  cancer,  and  even  the  euphemistic 
G.  P.,  cease  to  curdle  the  blood. 

Where  the  amenities  of  life  are  full  and  rich  and 
varied,  where  a  delicate  and  cultivated  soul  gives  no 
outward  indication  that  it  is  not  tuned  up  to  the  pitch  of 
which  it  is  capable,  the  operation  of  the  same  principle 
may  be  deeply  obscured,  but  one  cannot  suppose  it  to  be 
entirely  absent.  Aubrey  Beardsley  might,  had  he  Hved, 
have  risen,  whether  through  his  art  or  otherwise,  spirit- 
ually, to  a  height  from  which  he  could  command  the 
horizon  he  was  created  to  scan.     As  it   was,   the  long 

h 


viii  INTRODUCTION 

anguish,  the  increasing  bodily  helplessness,  the  extreme 
necessity  in  which  some  one  else  raises  one's  hand, 
turns  one's  head,  showed  the  slowly  dying  man  things  he 
had  not  seen  before.  He  came  face  to  face  with  the  old 
riddle  of  life  and  death ;  the  accustomed  supports  and 
resources  of  his  being  were  removed ;  his  soul,  thus 
denuded,  discovered  needs  unstable  desires  had  hitherto 
obscured ;  he  submitted,  like  Watteau  his  master,  to  the 
Catholic  Church. 

The  manifest  importance  of  this  addition  to  the  multi- 
tude of  similar  writings  is  half  the  editors'  explanation  of 
their  action  in  giving  this  living  piece  of  autobiography  to 
the  world ;  and  the  simplicity  and  dignity  of  the  writer 
completes  it.  As  a  contribution  to  the  body  of  scientific 
documents  it  is  of  the  first  order,  for  it  is  the  diary  of  a 
keen  intelligence  concentrated  upon  its  utterances,  without 
arriere  pensee.  Nor  have  the  impressions  here  recorded 
been  sifted  in  the  subject's  brain,  to  their  detriment,  as 
is  necessarily  the  case  when  a  man  deliberately  writes 
his  biography.  Everything  is  clear  and  crisp  from  the 
intellect  which  could  not  see  things  otherwise.  In  the 
preparation  of  them  for  publication,  the  letters  have  been 
treated  with  the  greatest  reverence.  In  many,  passages 
have  been  suppressed,  but  such  omissions  have  been  made 
with  one  aim,  to  avoid  giving  pain  or  displeasure  to  living 
people.     For  similiar  reasons,  arbitrary  signs  have  been 


INTRODUCTION  ix 

substituted,  in  most  cases,  for  proper  names.  Otherwise, 
the  text  is  that  of  the  originals,  faults  of  orthography  and 
slips  of  the  pen  standing  uncorrected.  Great  pains  have 
been  taken  to  arrive  at  an  exact  chronological  arrangement, 
rendered  difficult  by  the  "  Wednesday  "  system  of  dating, 
and  the  loss  of  the  envelopes  in  most  cases.  The  letters 
form  an  integral  series,  received  by  one  person ;  a  fev/, 
bowever,  addressed  to  another  man,  have  been  included, 
for  the  sake  of  whatever  light  they  throw  upon  the  rest. 
These  are  distinguished  by  their  numbers  being  inclosed 
in  heavy  brackets.  A  few  explanatory  footnotes  have 
been  added. 

John  Gray, 

Priest  of  the  Archdiocese  of  St.  Andrews 
and  Edinburgh. 

November,  1904. 


I. 

(May,  1895.) 

114  Cambridge  Street, 
S.W. 

My  dear  Mentor 

I  shall  be  enchanted  to  assist  at  the  per- 
formance of  Mefistofele  on  Thursday.  I  have  never 
heard  it. 

As  to  the  passage  you  send  me  I  don't  think  it  could 
possibly  do  me  any  harm;  besides  I  in  no  way  regret  my 
pictures  to  Salome.  Crashaw  is  perfectly  delicious.  I 
shall  be  with  you  to-morrow. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


II. 


(May,  1895.) 


I  14  Cambridge  Street, 
S.W. 

Dear  Mentor 

The  little  sticks^  are  quite  "adorable".      I 
never  wear  an  overcoat  after  the  first  of  May. 

'  Walking  sticks. 


2  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

Your  study  of is  I  think  quite  brilliant.      Thanks 

so  much  for  giving  me  a  copy.     Till  this  evening 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

I  enjoyed  Mefistofele  enormously. 

III. 

(May,  1895.) 

1 14  Cambridge  Street, 
Warwick  Sq.,  S.W. 

My  dear  Mentor 

Very  many  thanks  for  your  book  of  verses 
which  I  am  just  dipping  into. 

I  have  been  writing  most  of  the  day  &  found  the  choco- 
late a  great  support  in  my  quest  of  epithets.  On  Friday 
I  shall  be  most  pleased  to  lunch  with  you. 

Thank  you  for  the  note. 


IV. 

(13th  May,  1895.) 


Yours 

Telemaque. 


14  Cambridge  Street, 
S.W. 


My  dear  Mentor 

I  have  noted  your  charming  invitations  upon 
my  tablets. 

Last  night  was  a  perfect  success.      I  can't  tell  you  how 
much  I  enjoyed  myself. 

Yours 

Telemaque. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  3 

V. 

(May,  1895.) 

114  Cambridge  St. 

My  dear  Mentor 

First  for  your  sonnet  a  thousand  thanks. 
You  shall  have  one  in  return  when  my  thoughts  can  find 
"a  shape  in  which  to  wander  forth,"  meantime  your 
verses  lie  amongst  my  treasures.  How  charming  of  you 
to  send  me  these  letters  of  Meredith,  they  are  full  of  his 
splendid  manner.  Of  course  I  shall  value  them  enor- 
mously,— but  I  feel  I  am  robbing  you. 

I  am  delighted  with  the  idea  of  making  your  portrait; 
it  must  be  in  pastel  on  brown  paper — full  length.  I 
shan't  plague  you  with  long  sittings  as  I  draw  very 
quickly. 

Monday  evening  I  am  free  &  will  be  very  pleased  to 
spend  it  with  you. 

Yours  till  Saturday  morning 

Telemaque. 

I  am  beginning  the  frontispiece, — a  literal  rendering  of 
the  first  line — . 


VI. 

(May,  1895.) 


1 14  Cambridge  Street, 

London,  S.W. 

Tuesday. 


My  dear  Mentor 

The   frontispiece   is   quite  finished  &   looks 

pretty. 

I  * 


4  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

Sarah's  first  night  was  a  huge  success.  I  have  never 
seen  such  a  reception  as  she  got.  She  played  superbly. 
What  a  pity  though  she  did  not  start  with  Fedora.     It 

would  have  been  such  a  splendid  reply  to 

who  really  turns  out  to  be  the  most  incompetent  creature. 
How  I  should  love  to  come  to  Berlin,  but  I'm  afraid  it  will 
be  impossible  with  all  the  work  I  have  to  get  through. 
By  the  way,  some  lovely  flowers  came  to  me  yesterday 
from  Goodyear's — thanks  so  much.  I  saw  the  prospectus 
for  "Pan"  when  I  was  in  Paris,  of  course  it  interested  me 
enormously;  it  would  be  quite  delightful  to  do  anything 
for  it. 

Your  advice  as  to  work,  food  and  sleep  is  not  wasted 
on  me.      I  have  plenty  of  each.      I  suppose  the  result  of 

the trial  is  in  the  German  papers — two  years'  hard. 

I  imagine  it  will  kill  him. 

On  Friday  I  am  going  to  hear  Tannhauser.  I  look 
forward  to  it  with  mixed  pleasure  for  it  puts  me  most 
terribly  out  of  conceit  with  my  own  little  variations  on 
the  same  theme. 

Best  remembrances  to  Y.Z. 

Yours 

Telemaque. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  5 

VII. 
(May.  1895.) 

114  Cambridge  St. 
Saturday. 

My  dear  Mentor 

It  was  so  charming  of  you  to  like  the  frontis- 
piece. I  am  going  to  X.  with  it  the  first  thing  next  week 
&  will  try  to  explain  to  him  how  the  book  is  to  be  made 
up. 

London  is  adorably  bright  and  busy  to-day.  I  don't 
quite  know  what's  happening  but  St.  James's  Palace 
parapets  are  lined  with  pretty  frocks. 

Looking  forward  to  a  letter  from  you — &  the  colum- 
bine 

Yours 

Telemaque. 

VIII. 

Telegram,  5th  June,  1895. 

received  your  letter  should  so  much  like  to  come  and  will 
if  I  possibly  can  Berlin  must  be  splendid  some  columbines 
have  just  come  and  are  quite  adorable  Telemaque. 

IX. 

Telegram,  8th  June,  1895. 

thanks  for  sonnets  quite  delightful  perhaps  you  had  better 
not  take  rooms  till  I  wire  again  have  many  business  en- 
gagements Telemaque. 


6  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

X. 

(June,  1895.) 

114  Cambridge  St. 

Dear  Mentor 

A  deadlock.  X.  refuses  to  print  my  frontis- 
piece because  it  contains  a  nude  Amor.  What's  to  be 
done? 

Yours 

Telemaque. 


XI. 
(June,  1895.) 


1 14  Cambridge  St., 

Warwick  Sq.,  London. 

Sunday. 


My  dear  Mentor 

I  am  most  distressed  at  X.'s  behaviour. 
Have  you  really  withdravs^n  the  book  ?  Surely  it  vv^ould 
have  been  better  simply  to  have  dropped  the  frontispiece 
&  let  me  make  another.  It  w^as  delightful  of  you  to  think 
of  me  in  Goethe's  rose  garden.  What  a  great  treat  it 
must  have  been  to  have  seen  his  collection  of  treasures  ; 
the  drawings  especially  must  have  been  interesting.  I 
am  almost  surprised  when  you  tell  me  that  there  is  a 
Watteau  amongst  them.  The  cult  for  him  is  so  entirely 
modern ;  &  when  Goethe  probably  acquired  the  drawing 
Watteau' s  reputation  had  been  smothered  everywhere 
— except  in  England — &  the  new  classical  school  in 
Germany — Winckleman  &  all  the  rest,  must  have  had 
him  in  abhorrence. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  7 

It  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  join  you  ! 

Our  house  is  on  the  eve  of  sale  &  I  can't  leave  my 
sister  single  handed.  The  new  tenant  can  take  possession 
almost  at  once  so  a  grand  move  will  be  imminent. 

Goodyear  has  sent  me  the  most  delicious  flowers. 
Thank  you  so  much.  At  the  opera  on  Friday  Tann- 
hauser  was  suddenly  changed  for  Lohengrin  which 
never  touches  me  outside  the  concert  room.  The  most 
impossible  parts  of  the  "ring"  are  more  suitable  for  the 
operatic  stage,  I  don't  believe  the  tenor  lives  who  could 
play  Lohengrin.  Albani  was  the  Elsa.  I  shall  be 
enormously  interested  to  see  those  ten  new  pages  of  your 
Proces .  I  hear has  been  put  into  the  infirm- 
ary. So  glad  the  weather  is  behaving  itself  during  your 
tour.     Cassel  must  have  been  adorable. 

Yours 

Telemaque. 

XII. 

Telegram,  14th  June,  1895. 

thanks  for  letters  could  not  answer  been  through  rather 
a  trying  time  so  glad  you  return  Telemaque. 

Xlll 

Telegram,  16th  June,  1895. 

so  sorry  to  hear  of  your  illness  shall  be  delighted  to 
lunch  Wednesday  look  forward  to  seeing  your  treasures 
Telemaque, 


8  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

XIV. 

(June.  1895.) 

114  Cambridge  St., 
S.W. 

Dear  Mentor 

I  don't  know  whether  you  left  BerHn  before 
my  last  wire  arrived  to  say  I  should  be  delighted  to  lunch 
with  you  Wednesday. 

Yours 

Telemaque. 
XV. 
(June-July,  1895.) 

Dear  Mentor, 

I  shall  be  delighted  of  course  to  go  with  you 
to  the  colour  music.  Thanks  so  much  for  the  magazine. 
M.  &  myself  most  pleased  to  dine  with  you  next  Sunday. 

Yours 

Telemaque. 

XVI. 
(June-July,  1895.) 

114  Cambridge  Street, 
Warwick  Sq.,  S.W. 

My  dear  Mentor 

I  really  havn't  the  faintest  idea  what  you 
mean  by  a  declaration  of  war.  Of  course  I'm  dreadfully 
ashamed  of  having  forgotten  your  prior  invitation.  You 
ought  to  know  by  this  time  how  very  unimpressionable 
my  memory  is.     However  it  retains  to-day  at  2   o'clk. 

Yours 
A . 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY 


XVII. 


Guly,  1895.) 


1 14  Cambridge  St., 

Warwick  Sq.,  S.W. 


I  am  most  grieved  not  to  be  able  to  go  with  you  to  the 
play  last  night,  and  I  fear  I  shall  be  unable  to  see  you 
this  evening. 

I  can't  answer  your  letter  this  morning.  What  after- 
noon will  you  be  alone.  1  want  to  see  you  about  some- 
thing. 


Yours 


A.  B. 


XVIII. 


(Autumn,  1895.) 


10  and   II    St.  James's   Place, 

S.W. 

Thursday. 


I  wish  I  had  illustrated  a  book  recently!  but  all  my 
essays  in  art  and  letters  have  been  kept  for  a  new 
magazine  I  am  bringing  out.^  That  will  contain  a  Christ- 
mas card;  and  the  beginning  of  a  fairy  tale  (illustrated) 
by  myself  &  also  some  verse.  Did  not  Frau  Ida  Doxat 
sing  quite  splendidly  at  the  last  Mottl  concert? 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

'The  Savoy,     it  began  to  appear  in  January,  1896. 


10  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

XIX. 

(Winter,  1895.) 

1 0  and  1 1  St.  James's  Place, 

S.W. 

Tuesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  shall  be  most  pleased  to  come  to  lunch 
today. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
XX. 

1 0  and  1 1  St.  James's  Place, 

S.W. 

Saturday,  2  o'clk. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  shall  be  so  pleased  to  come  to  lunch  on 
Monday.  I  am  ashamed  of  myself  not  to  have  begun 
the  sketch  but  there  shall  be  no  more  delay. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


XXI. 


10  and  1  1  St.  James's  Place, 
S.W. 


My  dear  Mentor 

So  good  of  you  to  call  for  me.      I  will  be 
ready  at  ten  minutes  past  eleven. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  1 1 

XXII. 
(Dec,  1895.) 

The  Savoy.  Effingham  House,  Arundel  Street, 

London,  W.C. 

My  dear  Mentor 

I  saw  the  Michelet  in  a  second  hand  book 
shop  in  Hampstead  Rd.  (near  Robert  St.).  It  was  in 
about  twenty  volumes. 

I  am  beginning  the  sketch  presently. 
Please  forgive  this  commercial  paper. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XXIII. 
(December,  1895.) 

10  and  1 1  St.  James's  Place, 
S.W. 
Thursday. 

My  dear  Mentor 

I  am  indeed  pleased  at  the  prospect  of 
beginning  the  long  talked  of  portrait.  I  hope  it  is  going 
to  be  great  success. 

Let  me  know  directly  you  can  give  me  a  sitting. 
I  may  be  in  Paris  at  the  opening  of  the  New  Year,  but 
only  for  a  few  days. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


12  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

XXIV. 
(Dec,  1895— Jan.,  1896.) 

10  and  1 1  St.  James's  Place, 
S.W. 

My  dear  Mentor 

I  shall  be  delighted  to  dine  with  you  on 
the  8th.  Last  night  1  went  to  one  of  Dolmetsch's  old 
instrument  concerts.  It  was  quite  the  most  delicious 
and  delicate  entertainment.  With  kindest  regards  to 
Miss  N. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


XXV. 

(Dec,  1895— Jan.,  1896.) 

10  and  1 1  St.  James's  Place, 
S.W. 

My  dear  Mentor 

Very  many  thanks  for  your  review  of  — — 's 
career.  I  told  you  how  much  I  admired  it  when  you 
read  it  to  me ;  and  upon  reading  myself  I  think  it  even 
more  admirable. 

I  am  just  beginning  some  pictures  for  an  edition  of  the 
"  Rape  of  the  Lock  ". 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  13 

XXVI. 

(Dec.  1895— Jan.,  1896.) 

10  and  1 1  St.  James's  Place, 
S.W. 

My  dear  Mentor 

I  shall  be  most  delighted  to  sup  with  you 
to-morrow. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
XXVII. 

(January,  1896.) 

10  and  1 1  St.  James's  Place, 

S.W. 

Thursday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  have  not  yet  heard  from  R.  R.  if  [he]  can 
come  with  me  on  Monday  or  no.  I  will  write  to  you 
immediately  I  get  his  answer. 

I  am  longing  to  see  the  Aphra  Behn  you  have  just  got 
and  the  Quinault.  Oronooko  is  the  only  thing  I  have  read 
of  Astrea's:  her  comedies  must  be  delightfully  careless. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
XXVllI. 

(January,  1896.) 

10  and  1 1  St.  James's  Place, 

S.W. 

Sunday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  have  just  heard  from  R.  R.  He  will  be  most 
delighted  to  be  brought  to  lunch  with  you  to-morrow. 


14  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

I   am  quite  well  again.     Mrs.  W.   called  soon  after 
you  left  me  on  Friday.     So  sweet  of  her  I  thought. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XXIX. 

5th  June  (1896). 

17  Campden  Grove, 
Kensington. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  know  you  will  be  sorry  to  hear  Dr.  Symes 
Thompson  has  pronounced  very  unfavourably  on  my 
condition  to-day.  He  enjoins  absolute  quiet  and  if 
possible  immediate  change.  Yet  I  despair  of  ever 
getting  away,  there  are  so  many  difficulties  in  the  way! 
I  am  so  sorry  but  I  shall  have  to  give  up  the  pleasure  of 
lunching  with  you  on  Thursday. 

I  am  beginning  to  be  really  depressed  and  frightened 
about  myself. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


(1896.) 


[XXX.] 


Spread  Eagle  Hotel, 
Epsom,  6th  July. 


My  dear  Z 

It  was  most  charming  of  you  to  send  me  a 
copy  of  your  new  book  of  verses.     It  has  only  just  reached 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  15 

me  this  morning  (by  the  way  of  Crowborough),  and  I 
have  been  dipping  into  it  furiously  all  through  breakfast. 

What  I  have  read  has  fairly  delighted  me. 

Your  muse  always  seems  to  me  to  be  the  most  success- 
ful creature  and  the  most  satisfactory.  Please  accept  my 
warmest  congratulations  on  the  achievement  of  the  spirit- 
ual poems. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


XXXI. 

(July,  1896.) 

Spread  Eagle  Hotel, 
Epsom. 

My  DEAR  *  *  * 

I  was  so  glad  to  have  a  letter  of  you.      I 

should   be   delighted   to   come   over   to ■    any   day. 

Some  afternoon  this  week  I  fancy  L.  S.  is  coming  down 
to  see  me,  so  I  am  not  quiet  certain  if  I  am  free  for  the 
moment.     I  will  write  again  to-morrow. 

I  heard  of  M.  C.'s  dinner  from  a  friend  who  was  just 
going  on  to  it.  Were  you  at  any  of  the  performances 
of  Tristan  ?  I  read  the  announcements  of  it  with  jealous 
eyes. 

The  forty  thieves  will  be  my  Xmas  book.  It's  great 
fun  illustrating  it,  but  it  is  hard  work,  &  will  take  me 
some  time  to  finish.     Only  very  evilly  disposed  persons 


16  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

would  grumble  at  the  hot  weather.      My  only  trouble 
now  is  my  entire  inability  to  walk  or  exert  myself  in  the 

least. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


XXXII. 


(July.  1896.) 


Spread  Eagle  Hotel, 

Epsom. 

Tuesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  am  so  sorry  my  stay  here  has  to  come  to 
an  end  before  I  have  been  well  enough  to  drive  over  to 

.     I  should  like  so  much  to  have  seen  you.     M.  has 

gone  down  to  Boscombe  today  to  find  some  little  home 
for  me,  &  has  just  wired  to  me  that  "  Pier  View  "  will  be 
my  address. 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  Fr.  M 'Daniel  two  or 

three  years  ago  when  I  was  staying  at ,  he  is  a  dear 

old  thing,  I'm  sure  you  must  find  him  vastly  entertaining. 

So  interested  in  what  you  tell  me  about  your  book  & 
the  Italian  brigandage.  I  have  just  completed  a  set  of 
illustrations  to  Lysistrata,  I  think  they  are  in  a  way  the 
best  things  I  have  ever  done.  They  will  be  printed  in 
pale  purple.  Juvenal  number  six  is  my  next  book,  &  I 
am  making  the  translation  as  well  as  the  pictures. 

The  attacks  of  haemorrhage  have  been  a  dreadful  nuis- 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  1 7 

ance,  last  week  I  had  a  severe  one  &  I  have  been  an 
invaHd  ever  since. 

I  look  forward  very  much  to  " ,"  1  hear 

that  proofs  are  all  corrected  so  I  imagine  that  the  novel 
will  be  out  in  October. 

Very  many  thanks  for  your  letter. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

I  go  down  to  Boscombe  tomorrow  morning. 

XXXIII. 
(September,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 
Wednesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

The  child  who  only  parts  his  hair  when  a 
stranger  comes  to  lunch  must  be  very  charming. 

My  breathing  is  a  little  better  here  but  the  cough  dis- 
tresses me  a  good  deal,  &  the  doctor  has  just  given  me 
rather  a  bad  account  of  myself.  He  is  afraid  he  cannot 
stop  the  mischief.  To  compensate,  my  little  scribblings 
go  on  well  and  I  think  the  Juvenal  will  be  an  interesting 
book. 

My  pictures  in  pale  purple  are  for  Aristophanes  &  not 
Donnay. 

How  I  envy  any  one  who  is  able  to  spend  the  summer 
on  the  Thames,  and  be  within  punting  distance  of  the 
ever  gracious  Hampton  Court.      I  am  beginning  to  feel 


18  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

that  [I]  shall  be  an  exile  from  all  nice  places  for  the 
rest  of  my  days.  Boscombe  is  only  tolerable,  I  am  so 
disappointed  with  it. 

By  the  way  our  publisher  has  now  a  new  address,  4 
and  5  Royal  Arcade,  next  door  but  one  to  the  admirable 
Goodyear. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
XXXIV. 

(September,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

You  must  forgive  me  for  leaving  at  least 
two  delightful  letters,  unanswered,  for  so  long.  Nearly 
a  month  ago  I  had  to  go  up  to  town  on  urgent  business, 
&  the  trip  brought  on  a  most  serious  attack  of  haemorrhage. 
I  am  only  just  recovering  &  am  not  allowed  to  leave  my 
room.  I  shall  spend  the  winter  here  for  I  shall  not  be 
strong  enough  to  travel  further  South.  It  seems  I  shall 
never  be  out  of  the  wood. 

Y.  Z.  writes  to  me  that  you  will  be  back  in  town  next 
week.  I  am  beginning  to  think  of  London  like  some 
untravelled  yokel. 

Could  you  let  me  have  the  address  of  your  French 
publishers,  I  have  utterly  mislaid  my  copy  of  your  book. 

S.  tells  me  that  he  has  prepared  an  album  of  50  of 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  19 

my  drawings,  to  appear  this  Autumn.  I  look  forward 
to  seeing  it  very  much.  It  is  I  believe  to  contain  an 
iconography. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XXXV. 

(September,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 
Saturday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

"  Le  frisson  de  Paris  "  seemed  almost  too 
good  a  title  to  be  true. 

I  wonder  what  a  picture  of  mine  to  Esther  Waters 
would  be  like?  How  charming  of  George  Moore  to 
say  that  I  should    do  it  well. 

I  wish  I  could  have  been  at  the  children's  dinner  party. 
I  recollect  the  one  I  came  to. 

With  a  piercing  wind  from  the  North  East,  the  question 
of  hot  water  bottles  becomes  important,  &  I  will  think 
of  Cotsford  Dick's  advice.  We  had  our  first  snow  here 
today. 

The  S.  case  certainly  makes  horrid  reading,  still  I  shall 
look  forward  to  your  precis  and  study  of  it. 

1  am  now  in  the  hands  of  a  very  charming  and  skilful 
dentist  here  who  promises  to  do  great  things  for  my  teeth, 
six  of  which  are  under  his  care.      I  don't  know  when  the 

operations  will  come  to  an  end.      It  seems  I  am  only  just 

2  * 


20  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

In  time  to  save  great  trouble  with  my  mouth.  I  shall  be 
interested  to  hear  of  your  visit  to  Wormwood  Scrubbs. 
Will  it  include  a  sight  of  the  prisoners?  What  a  painful 
experience. 

I  have  just  seen  a  most  wonderful  illustration  of 
Prud'hon's  for  the  episode  of  the  bosquet  de  Clarens 
in  "La  Nouvelle  Hdloise  ".  I  fairly  melted  over  it.  The 
defaillance  of  passion  is  marvellously  rendered  in  the 
figure  of  Julie,  which  is  a  perfect  triumph  of  expressive 
drawing.  It  recalls  strangely  the  Madonna  in  our  Lady 
of  the  Rose  garden  of  Francia. 

Prud'hon's  picture  is  simply  ravishing,  &  has  made  me 
happy  for  a  moment. 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XXXVI. 

(1st  October,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

The  chocolats  were  delicious. 

Florence  St.  John  must  be  perfectly  charming  in  the 
little  genius.     She  is  always  "adorable", 

I  was  interested  to  hear  that  the  allegorical  photograph 
was  attributed  to  Durer.  The  picture  has,  I  believe,  in 
its  time  been  attributed  to  every  painter  except  Durer. 
It  is  a  beautiful  thing,  so  clear  and  mysterious.  I  have 
just  begun  a  narrative  version  of  Wagner's  "  Das  Rhein- 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  21 

gold  "  (the  most  amusing  thing  he  ever  wrote).  Most  of 
the  pictures  for  it  are  already  finished.  S.  has  just  sent 
me  a  Savoy.  I  rather  like  this  number.  No.  7  will 
contain  a  translation  of  mine  from  the  "  Hail  and  fare- 
well "  poem  of  Catullus.  I  have  also  made  a  picture 
for  it. 

We  are  having  such  a  soothing  spell  of  still,  warm 
weather  here,  troubled  only  by  the  wasps,  that  bring 
however  with  them  a  sort  of  memory  of  orchards. 

I  am  glad  that  January  will  bring  me  a  new  brochure 
of  yours. 

What  sort  of  book  has  Ellis  made  and  who  has  he 
found  to  publish?  I  am  amused  at  what  you  tell  me 
about  the  way  he  treats  our  Lord  and  all  the  Saints. 
How  treacherous  is  the  illative  sense ! 

Always  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


XXXVII. 
(5th  October,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Thank  you  again  for  the  books.  The 
Diderot  in  two  volumes — that  gives  me  so  much  more 
than  1  asked  for — is  especially  nice.  Le  Rouge  et  le 
Noir  is  an  adorable  book,  and  I  am  going  to  re-read  it  at 
once.      No  I  don't  think  that  the  little  French  bookseller 


22  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

has  any  sort  of  claim  against  me,  so  my  address  will  be 
quite  unfruitful  in  his  hands.  Considering  that  his  shop 
is  so  small  he  really  has  a  wonderful  number  of  books 
"  in  stock  ".  I  don't  remember  ever  having  had  to  order 
anything  from  him. 

Thanks  very  much  for  your  account  of  the  comedy 
first  night.  I  should  love  to  see  Nina  Boucicault  in  the 
piece. 

What  with  your  green  and  yellow-backed  books,  your 
informing  letter,  a  new  screen  in  my  room,  the  first  fire  I 
have  lit  this  autumn,  some  nice  drawings  I  have  made,  and 
the  collected  works  of  Friedrich  Nietzsche,  I  am  feeling 
quite  gay  this  morning.  The  weather  too  is  perfectly 
lovely,  and  jolly  winds  are  driving  white  clouds  over  the 
bluest  sky. 

I  am  always  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XXXVIII. 
(October.  1896.) 

Pier  View. 
Wednesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

You  sent  me  some  most  delicious  chocolates. 
It  was  so  good  of  you.  Eida  must  have  been  most 
entertaining.  How  charming  of  the  Japanese  to  risk  a 
lacquered  warship  in  a  real  battle. 

I  can't  tell  you  how  much  I  have  been  enjoying  the 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  23 

Diderot.     He  is  an  extraordinarily  attractive  writer.     I 
was  particularly  interested  in  the  "  Salons". 

I  shall  be  most  curious  to  hear  what  Gilbert  Parker's 
play  is  like.     The  book  was  so  clever. 

I  am  beginning  to  feel  stronger  every  day,  we  are 
having  such  beautiful  weather.  It  seems  I  have  still  a 
chance  to  turn  the  corner. 

Please  tell  me  more  of  your  controversy  with  M. 
Fere. 

A  certain  pubhsher  has  been  begging  me  to  illustrate 
Pilgrim's  Progress  for  him.  He  says  that  my  lately 
acquired  knowledge  of  suffering  has  fitted  me  perfectly 
for  the  task !  All  this  was  suggested  to  him  by  a  little 
picture  I  sent  him  of  "Tannhauser  returning  to  the 
Horselberg"  } 

It  is  really  too  kind  of  you  to  invite  me  to  more  books. 
However,  1  cannot  resist  the  temptation.  If  there  /v  such 
a  thing  as  an  illustrated  account  of  the  Brighton  Pavillion 
I  should  love  to  have  it.  And  has  any  history  been 
written  of  Napoleon's  early  life  &  first  Italian  campaigns? 
I  ask  for  the  book  on  the  Brighton  Pavillion  in  order  to 
get  help  for  some  architectural  backgrounds  I  have  been 
thinking  of. 

But  you  musn't  allow  me  to  trouble  you  so  recklessly. 

I  am  always  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

'  Included  in  "  A  Second  Book  of  Fifty  Drawings,"  1899. 


24  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

XXXIX. 

(October,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe, 

Bournemouth. 

Monday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  did  not  know  who  had  sent  me  the  Gaston 
Latour.  Thank  you  so  much  for  it.  I  knew  no  more  of 
the  book  than  its  title,  &  was  deeply  interested  to  read. 
All  that  part  about  Ronsard  delighted  me. 

The  1853  reminiscence  of  Augustus  Hare  is  instructive 
&  amusing. 

No  I  have  not  read  The  Island  of  Dr.  Moreau  ?  Is 
it  a  romance  ?  So  good  of  you  to  say  you  will  send  it 
me. 

I  have  never  been  to  the  church  in  Spanish  Place, 
what  is  it  Hke?  Monsignor  Croke  Robinson  preached 
on  a  strangely  suggestive  subject.^  I  wish  I  had  heard 
him.  There  is  down  here  a  beautiful  little  church  served 
by  the  Fathers  of  [the  Society  of]  Jesus,  I  hope  when  I  am 
able  to  go  out,  to  assist  at  their  services. 

I  do  hope  you  have  not  troubled  about  the  Brighton 
Pavillion  ;  such  a  foolish  idea  of  mine  to  want  it.  I  look 
forward  much  to  the  book  on  Napoleon  &  his  early 
conquests.  I  can  never  bring  myself  to  read  far  into  his 
life — for  sentimental  reasons. 

Diderot  continues  to  rejoice  me.  So  serious  &  so 
amusing. 

^  Guardian  Angels. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  25 

It  is  really  too  good  of  you  to  allow  me  to  tell  you  of 
my  bookish  wants.  My  only  immediate  want  is  some 
illustrated  account  of  Claude  Lorrain ;  though  perhaps 
what  would  be  best,  would  be  four  or  five  photographs 
of  his  seaport  &  Arcadian  pieces. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

Thank  you  so  much  for  your  kind  Paters,^  I  fear  I  am 
a  sorry  beadsman. 

XL. 
(October,  1896.) 

Pier  View. 
Thursday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  should  be  indeed  grateful  for  an  introduc- 
tion to  any  of  the  Jesuit  Fathers  here. 

I  recollect  reading  Erewhon  at  school  and  enjoying 
it  immensely.  I  remember  so  well  it  being  lent  me  as  a 
very  precious  book  and  with  grave  doubts  on  the  part  of 
the  lender  as  to  whether  it  was  not  altogether  too  deep 
for  me. 

My  little  trouble  continues,  but  is  somewhat  abated. 

Sunshine  has  been  with  us  too ;   such  a  blessing. 

All  sorts  of  delays  seem  to  have  beset  the  path  of  my 
album,  but  it  will  appear  well  before  Christmas,  I  am 
longing  to  see  it. 

'  Pater  nosters. 


26  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

And  what  of —  ?     With  it  I  begin  the  list 

of  books  I  am  without  and  should  like. 
Pater's  Renaissance. 

Meinhold's  Sidonia  the  Sorceress  (Reeves  &  Turner). 
Laclos'  Liaisons  dangereuses. 
Evelina. 
Gray's  Poems. 
The  Shaving  of  Shagpat. 
Morley's  Voltaire. 

Diderot  and  the  Encyclopedists. 
Voltaire's  Melanges  Litteraires. 

Theatre  (any  volume  containing  "  Merope," 

"  Zaire,"  "  Mahomet  "). 

I   have  been   reading  lately  some  of  George  Sand's 

earlier    novels,    Mauprat,    Indiana,    Horace,    etc.      How 

abominably  she  has  been  plundered  by  every  one  since. 

What  was  the  Gaiety  piece  like  ? 

I  am  yours  very  affecly 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XLI. 
(October.  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe, 
Bournemouth. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Thank  you  so  much  for  the  Claude  Lorrain 
&  The  Island  of  Dr.  Moreau.  The  latter  is  certainly 
a  horrible  affair  &  very  well  set  forth.  I  can't  tell  you 
how  ill  1  am  to-day. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  27 

I  am  quite  paralysed  with  fear.  I  have  told  no  one 
of  it.  It's  dreadful  to  be  so  weak  as  I  am  becoming. 
To-day  I  had  hoped  to  pilfer  ships  and  sea-shores  from 
Claude,  but  work  is  out  of  the  question. 

The  Gaston  de  Latour  has  given  me  great  pleasure. 

Yours  very  affectly 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


XLII. 


(October,  1896.) 


Pier  View,  Boscombe, 

Bournemouth. 

Sunday. 


My  dear  *  *  * 

I  am  all  gratitude  for  the  Browning,  a  per- 
fectly delightful  present  1  My  time  is  being  laid  out 
royally  amongst  the  pages.  I  had  only  one  volume  out 
of  the  old  seventeen  volume  edition  with  me,  &  am  quite 
bewildered  with  the  sudden  blaze  of  all  the  poems. 

If  Cecilia  is  a  tenth  part  as  good  as  Evelina  it  must 
be  a  very  capital  book. 

The  winter  season  is  setting  here  rather  pleasantly. 
Yesterday  I  was  able  to  take  quite  a  long  walk,  &  was 
scarcely  tired  at  all  afterwards.  So  my  fortnight's  bleed- 
ing does  not  seem  to  have  done  me  much  injury. 

It  is  sad  not  to  see  M.  before  she  starts  for  America. 
I  envy  her  the  passage,  boat  life  is  so  delightful. 

Many  thanks  for  all  your  amusing  gossip.      Mrs. 


28  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

I   seem  to  have  come  across  in   some   novel  or  other. 
Edw^ard  Martyn  1  fancy  I  have  met  in  the  flesh. 
I  am  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XLIII. 

(November,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe, 

Bournemouth, 

Sunday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

You  have  sent  me  such  a  delightful  green- 
covered  volume  of  Voltaire's  plays.  I  have  been  so 
cheered  with  it.      Thank  you  many  times. 

My  dear  mother  must  have  been  very  surprised  to  hear 
of  my  haemmorhage,  for  I  had  told  her  nothing  of  it. 
Every  one  in  tow^n  seems  to  have  greeted  her  w^ith  the 
news  of  it.  There  has  been  no  return,  so  I  suppose  I 
may  consider  myself  out  of  the  wood  for  the  time  being. 

I  am  yours  very  affly 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

[XLIV.] 

(5th  November,  1 896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 

My  dear  Z., 

I  should  have  written  to  you  before,  had  1 
been  well  enough — to  thank  you  for  the  parcel  of  books 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  29 

you  sent.  SIdonia  is  such  an  enchanting  book.  Thank 
you  for  all  of  them.  I  have  had  such  a  trying  time  with 
my  untractable  lung.  Neither  rest  or  fine  weather  seem 
to  avail  anything.  How  delightful  is  what  you  tell  me 
about  the  Melanesian  &  his  string  ;   perfectly  delicious. 

Yours  ever 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XLV. 

(November,  1896.) 

Pier  View. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Such  a  nice  little  packet  of  French  books  has 
reached  me.  How  kind  of  you  to  send  them.  Catulle 
Mendes  is  a  great  favourite  of  mine.  The  conversa- 
tional pieces  of  Maurice  Donnay  are  most  entertaining  ; 
I  knew  nothing  of  him  before,  except  Lysistrata,  which 
you  have  of  course  read  &  seen  acted. 
I  am  a  little  better  to-day. 

Yours  very  affecly 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XLVI. 
(November,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 
Wednesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Thank  you  so  much  for  the  packet  of  primrose- 
covered  books.      Nais  Micoulin  is  a  Zola  I  have  never 


30  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

read.  P.  has  just  sent  me  the  synopsis  of  a  Wagnerian 
drama  he  has  written  &  wishes  me  to  illustrate.  It  is 
rather  fine. 

How  strangely  competent  &  unnervous  one  feels  with 
a  new  &  unpublished  work.  Have  you  noticed  that  no 
book  ever  gets  well  illustrated  once  it  becomes  a  classic. 
Contemporary  illustrations  are  the  only  ones  of  any  value 
or  interest. 

My  neuralgic  pains  have  found  a  little  relief  from 
phanacetin,  so  I  am  less  of  a  wreck  to-day. 

Yours  ever  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XLVII. 

(November,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  am  up  a  little  today,  &  hasten  to  write 
to  you.  I  know  Fr.  C.  by  sight  only,  I  recollect  him 
attending  the  Oratory  in  his  lay  days. 

I  am  so  entertained  by  the  study  of  Zola.  I  did  not 
know  such  a  book  had  been  published.  The  idea  of  such 
interviews  is  good  enough  if  you  could  imagine  every 
distinguished  person  allowing  himself  to  be  really  frank. 
Zola  was  a  capital  person  to  start  the  series,  as  he  has 
the  reputation  of  being  a  good  bourgeois  with  no  need 
to  be  reticent  about  his  tastes.  The  memory  tests  were 
interesting,  especially  those  in  which  he  failed  to  attribute 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  31 

well-known  passages  to  their  right  authors.      I  recollect 

in  an  interview  with  Zola  in  "  Le ?  illustre  "  some 

years  ago,  he  said  that  Manon  Lescaut  was  a  book  he 
had  read  many  times,  &  always  had  beside  him. 

Thanks  many  times  for  the  volume.  I  still  continue  in 
a  very  doubtful  state,  a  sort  of  helpless,  hopeless  condition, 
as  nobody  really  seems  to  know  what  is  the  matter  with 
me.  I  fancy  it  is  only  change  I  want,  &  that  my  troubles 
are  principally  nervous.  I  have  been  trying  to  take  arsenic 
but  it  has  disagreed  most  dreadfully  with  me. 
I  am  yours  always  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XLVIII. 
(November,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Thank  you  a  thousand  times  for  your  book, 
a  precious  volume. 

Yet  another  attack  of  ha^morhage,  a  slight  one,  but 
severe  enough  to  keep  me  in  bed  for  two  days.  My 
agony  of  mind  is  great  even  at  the  slightest  appearance 
of  blood,  for  one  never  knows  if  the  first  few  streaks  are 
going  to  lead  to  something  serious  or  no.  It  is  nearly  six 
weeks  now  since  I  have  left  my  room.  I  am  very  busy 
with  drawing  &  should  like  to  be  with  writing,  but  cannot 
manage  both  in  my  weak  state.  I  am  sure  you  will  feel 
it  is  quite   pardonable   for  me   to   speak  bitterly  of   this 


32  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

weather.  My  room  faces  south  west,  &  all  my  books, 
papers,  etc.,  have  been  saturated  with  the  damp.  So  I 
have  fallen  into  a  depressed  state. 

I  am  sending  you  a  photograph  that  Cameron  took  of 
me  when  I  was  in  town.    I  thought  you  might  like  a  copy. 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
XLIX. 

(November.  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 
Tuesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Thank  you  so  much  for  the  packet  of  French 
novels.  I  have  begun  with  Restif  de  la  Bretonne,  he  is 
tremendously  interesting,  &  was  heretofore  only  a  name 
to  me.     I  shall  read  Les  Rois  next. 

Half  an  hour  ago  I  had  a  huge  rock  of  a  tooth  taken 
out — with  gas.  Still  I  feel  rather  shaky  after  it.  I'm 
afraid  some  more  will  have  to  follow.  Milder  measures 
are  quite  useless  in  my  far  gone  state. 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

L. 

(November,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

This  morning's  post  brought  me  Stendhal's 
fragments  on  Napoleon,  &  two  magistral  volumes,  edited 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  33 

by  Masson  &  Biagi,  of  Napoleon's  student  writings,  &  notes 
upon  his  early  life.  I  need  not  tell  you  how  grateful  I  am 
for  them,  &  how  delighted  with  the  prospect  of  reading. 

I  was  tremendously  interested  to  hear  about  your  corre- 
spondence with  the  beautiful  Rachilde,  &  will  look  forward 
to  her  new  novel,  documented  from  your  book. 

No,  you  never  told  me  anything  about  a  blind  man  with 
a  romantic  history ;  still  I  am  sorry  he  has  taken  to  drink. 

Suderman's  play  must  be  charming  in  Cosmopolis. 

It  is  most  kind  of  Father to  write  to  the  Fathers 

down  here  about  me.  A  Father  called,  &  was  most 
charming  6c  sympathetic. 

I  am  indeed  interested  to  hear  all  news  of  your  con- 
troversy on  nonconformity.  I  hope  you  will  resume  all 
that  is  being  said  for  6c  against  in  some  future  edition  of 
your  book. 

I  have  just  been  lent  a  study  of  moeurs  antique  entitled 
Aphrodite.  It  is  by  Pierre  Louys.  You  have  I  expect 
read  it. 

Yours  very  affecly 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


(November,  1896.) 


LI. 


Pier  View,  Boscombe, 

Bournemouth. 

Tuesday. 


My  dear  *  *  * 

Thank    you    so    much    for    the   volumes    of 
Miss    Burney.       I    was    so    amused    to    find    that    they 


34  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

had  covers  &  title-pages  of  my  own  early  designing. 
Cecilia  I  have  begun,  &  believe  I  shall  like  even  better 
than  Evelina. 

In  the  bay  here,  the  sea  is  as  smooth  as  a  shirt  front, 
so  I  vv^ish  M.  could  have  started  from  Southampton.  I 
do  hope  her  crossing  may  be  quiet,  &  resting,  after  all 
her  hard  work. 

Boats  are  such  blessed  things,  one  loses  all  sense  of 
responsibility  upon  them. 

I  am  bothered  beyond  words  to  find  some  little  book 
to  do  pictures  for.     Can  you  think  of  anything  for  me. 

I  have  just  made  rather  a  pretty  set  of  drawings  for  a 
foolish  playlet  of  Ernest  Dowsons. 

I  wondered  if  La  dame  aux  Camelias  or  Diane  de 
Lys  would  serve  my  purpose? 

The  Lamoureux  festival  must  be  a  real  feast.  I  don't 
believe  I  shall  ever  hear  the  sound  of  a  fiddle  again. 

Boscombe  is  ignominiously  dull. 

I  am  always  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LII. 
(November,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 
Friday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Thank  you  so  much  for  your  kind  sugges- 
tions for  books  to  illustrate.  Any  one  of  them  would 
make  a    charming   volume ;    L'Histoire    d'une    Grecque 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  35 

moderne  will  I  think  be  my  choice.  Stendhal's  Armance 
I  do  not  know.  I  wonder  if  an  English  version  has  been 
made  of  Adolphe.  Where  ought  I  to  look  to  find  out 
something  about  Choderlos  de  Laclos.  I  am  anxious  to 
acquaint  myself  with  his  life. 

I  have  just  had  a  letter  of  M.  from  Queenstown.  Her 
first  day  at  sea  passed  off  most  successfully,  &  she  seems 
quite  enamoured  of  the  life  on  board.  I  must  confess  I 
envy  her  &  should  like  nothing  better  than  a  sea  voyage 
myself.  1  fear  though  a  real  rest  is  not  amongst  the 
possibilities  for  me. 

However,  from  my  window,  on  Saturdays,  I  can  see 
the  boats  leaving  Southampton. 

Yes,  I  have  made  a  friend  here,  Mrs. ,  daughter 

of  Sir  H.  T.  She  is  quite  charming,  &  full  of  accounts 
of  all  the  Victorian  great  people.  She  is  taking  me  up 
one  day  to  visit  Lady  Shelley,  who  has  I  believe  a  de- 
lightful collection  of  the  poet's  portraits,  letters,  etc.  How 
good  of  you  to  think  of  friends  for  me  here. 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

Father  L.  came  to  see  me  on  Sunday.  He  is  leaving 
Boscombe  for  a  short  time.  He  was  so  glad  that  1  had 
Fr.  Bampton's  sermon  with  me.  He  corrected  me  most 
charmingly  for  mispronouncing  Fenelon.  I  had  said 
Fenelon. 

What  a  delicious  subject  for  a  historical  essay  would 

3* 


36  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

be  the  Gallic  Church  in  the  1  7th  century.  Though  it 
would  be  difficult  to  say  much  more  than  is  sung  in  *'  Le 
lutrin  ". 

By  the  way  I  hope  you  have  not  seen  an  atrocious 
portrait  of  me  in  the  Magazine  of  Art  for  this  month. 
I  feel  I  owe  an  apology  to  all  my  friends  for  it. 


LIII. 
(1st  December,  1896.) 


Pier  View,  Boscombe. 
Tuesday. 


My  dear  *  *  * 

It  was  most  charming  of  you  to  have  copied 
out  for  me  that  little  life  of  Laclos.  I  never  meant  you 
to  set  yourself  such  a  task,  still  I  am  delighted  to  have 
the  biographical  note.  I  did  not  know  that  he  had 
played  so  important  a  role  in  the  revolutionary  drama, 
&  I  am  surprised  that  the  wonderful  "Liaisons"  was 
written  early  rather  than  late  in  his  career.  I  have  long 
set  my  heart  on  making  some  pictures  for  the  book,  not 
"  galants  "  in  any  way  but  severe  and  reticent.  Prudhon 
would  have  done  them  to  perfection. 

I  was  delighted  to  find  the  other  day,  in  Delacroix's 
Journal,  an  enthusiastic  appreciation  of  a  picture  of 
Prudhon' s,  the  portrait  of  the  Empress  Josephine.  Do 
you  know  it  ?  It  is  quite  one  of  the  most  beautiful  por- 
traits in  the  world. 

The  idea  of  Adolphe,  translated  by  J.  G.  &  illus- 
trated with  something  of  mine,  smiles  on  me  very  much. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  37 

The  lung  gives  me  little  or  no  trouble,  I  suffer  from 
Boscombe  more  than  anything  else. 

I  am  yours  always  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LIV. 
(3rd  December,  1 896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 
Thursday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Thank  you  so  much  for  the  copy  of 
Adolphe.  I  am  delighted  at  the  prospect  of  my 
pictures  accompanying  G.'s  letterpress.  At  Boscombe 
it  is  weather  royal,  sunshine  &  south  winds.  I  wish  I 
could  hear  it  was  the  same  with  you  in  London,  I  should 
be  sorely  tempted  to  run  up  for  a  few  days. 

We  have  not  yet  heard  from  M.  since  her  arrival,  it 
seems  the  Bourchiers'  first  night  was  a  great  success. 

I  am  surprised  to  find  that  I  like  almost  everybody  who 
comes  to  Pier  View,  I  can't  explain  it  to  myself,  even 
more  strange  is  the  fact  that  they  seem  to  like  me.  This 
is  quite  a  new  thing  in  my  hfe. 

I  shall  feel  very  lonely  at  a  new  church  on  Christmas 
day.  I  am  so  accustomed  to  the  Brompton  Oratory  on 
the  great  festival.  The  Oratory  is  such  a  loveable 
church. 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


38  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

LV. 
C6th  December.  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 
Sunday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  was  so  disappointed  to  hear  that  " 

"  will  not  appear  till  January.     What  a  vexatious 

delay.     Your  kind  invitation  to Street  &  promise  of 

fraternal  care  will  keep  my  thoughts  set  on  town.  There 
will  surely  be  some  prosperous  weather. 

I  have  just  received  the  "  Pageant "  ;  two  of  the 
Moreaus  (OEdipus  &  the  Hercules)  are  perfectly  ravish- 
ing. I  often  think  of  your  Moreau,  one  of  his  most 
beautiful  works. 

I  am  glad  you  liked  Count  Valmont.  The  album  of 
fifty  drawings  is  to  appear  I  believe  this  week.  Yes,  I 
recollect  Mrs.  W.,  &  her  nursing  me  through  a  very 
trying  moment. 

The  adjournment  of  the  S.  case  will  give  you  a  long 
rest  from  your  work  of  criticism.  I  have  been  learning 
a  great  [deal]  about  the  proceedings  from  some  one  who 
has  been  in  court. 

I  am  delighted  that  G.  has  begun  the  translation  of 
Adolphe.  I  wish  I  might  put  my  hand  to  the  pictures 
at  once. 

Has  Rachilde  sent  her  book  in  MS.  or  proof?  A 
reading  of  a  book  in  handwriting  is  wretched  work. 

I  grieve  much  that  you  have  been  unwell. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  39 

My  own  health  becomes  daily,  it  seems,  more  satis- 
factory, though  a  sharp  walk  this  morning  left  me  rather 
breathless.  Still  I  can  scarcely  call  myself  an  invalid 
now. 

Some  rather  good  concerts  are  being  given  in  Bourne- 
mouth, &  I  hope  to  be  able  to  get  to  them,  but  am  a 
little  frightened  of  being  out  after  sunfall.  You  must 
have  had  a  great  festival  with  Lamoureux. 

I  should  like  to  have  heard  so  much  the  arrangement 
of  music  from  Siegfried,  Act  11. ;   called  I  think  "wood- 
land voices"  or  "murmurs".     I  read  about  it. 
I  am  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LVI. 
(December,  1 896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 
Sunday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

A  fit  of  hard  work  has  dispelled  my  depres- 
sion. 

Yes,  we  were  all  shocked  by  the  earthquake  that  made 
a  fruitful  subject  of  conversation  at  that  morning's  break- 
fast. The  season  of  Advent  gave  quite  an  alarming  point 
to  the  disturbance  at  the  moment  it  was  felt. 

The  weather  in  London  just  now  must  provoke  anguish 
in  the  soul  of  every  one  except  the  Marchesa.  Down 
here  there  is  sunshine,  but  very  capricious  in  its  favours, 


40  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

which  are  withdrawn  at  a  minute's  notice.      I  have  not 
ventured  out  since  my  last  disastrous  walk. 

Unfortunately  Pier  View  is  situated  half-way  up  a  hill, 
so  I  have  no  level  promenade  at  hand. 

Every  one  is  leaving  for  Christmas,  &  an  entirely  new 
set  of  boarders  arrive  for  the  feast.  I  lose  thus  many  old 
friends. 

The  mother  of  the  late  Slade  Professor  at  Cambridge 
is  staying  here  now.  She  has  been  telling  me  much  of 
her  son.  He  was  indeed  a  wonderful  person.  I  don't 
remember  ever  having  met  Kegan  Paul. 

There  are  some  perfectly  charming  pictures  in  the 
Saturday  Review  supplement  for  Christmas.  You  have 
seen  them  of  course. 

This  afternoon  I  have  spent  interviewing  myself  for  the 
Idler,  &  hope  I  have  not  said  too  many  foolish  things. 
We  have  long  letters  from  M.  She  does  not  love  New 
York.  I  look  forward  to  her  return  very  much  ;  it  would 
be  so  nice  if  I  could  live  in  London,  if  for  only  the  spring 
&  early  summer  of  next  year. 

M.  &  myself  might  set  up  temporary  house  together. 
I  feel  that  we  shall  be  better  friends  than  ever  after  such 
a  long  separation,  &  six  months  of  this  horrid  place  will 
have  made  me  abjectly  thankful  for  the  smallest  gaieties 
&  pleasures  in  town. 

I  am  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  41 

LVII. 


(December,  1896.) 


Pier  View,  Boscombe. 


My  dear  *  *  * 

There  is  quite  a  summer  sun  pouring  into 
the  room ;  delightfully  unseasonable.  My  doctor  this 
morning  gave  me  a  good  character,  &  does  not  look  upon 
London  as  being  utterly  impossible  for  me.  I  am  so  glad 
you  are  pleased  with  the  album.  There  are  many  faults, 
alas,  in  its  "  get  up  "  owing  to  perfectly  indecent  haste  in 
preparation.  The  more  serious  faults  in  the  book  1  cannot 
excuse  so  readily.  I  was  delighted  at  what  you  told  me  of 
Rachilde's  letter.  I  wonder  what  Pilgrim's  Progress  will 
be  Hke?     I  have  never  read  the  book. 

How  sad  it  is  that  Christmas,  the  most  beautiful  of  all 
the  feasts,  should  have  grown  to  be  so  displeasing  a  season 
to  almost  everybody.  Nobody  at  Pier  View  but  grumbles 
at  its  approach.  I  wish  I  had  known  you  two  years  ago 
when  I  &  M.  had  such  a  lovely  Christmas  tree,  hung 
with  such  pretty  things.  I  recollect  some  volumes  of 
Verlaine ;  &  a  very  malicious  caricature  of  Whistler  by 
myself  were  upon  the  branches. 

I  shall  think  of  M.  much  on  the  25th.  She  will  be  on 
English  soil  I  hope.      Toronto  most  probably. 

The  edition  of  the  Liaisons  Dangereuses  is  beginning 
to  take  shape  at  last.  Each  letter  (there  are  1  70  odd) 
will    have    a    separate   decorative    or    illustrative   initial. 


42  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

There  will  be  1 0  full  page  illustrations ;  &  a  frontispiece 
to  each  of  the  two  volumes.  The  whole  to  be  printed 
on  art  paper. 

I  am  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


LVIII. 
(December,  1896.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

1  have  not  had  many  returns  of  blood  since 
the  first  &  rather  violent  outbreak.  You  are  quite  right 
in  your  expectation  that  the  attacks  would  now  be  thrown 
off  more  easily.  My  breathing  was  only  affected  on  the 
first  day,  &  has  since  become  (what  I  have  grown  to  look 
upon)  as  normal.  Still  it  makes  me  nervous  about  getting 
out.  The  weather  too  is  against  me.  I  have  been 
whiling  away  my  semi- convalescent  moments  with  Zola's 
Rome,  in  its  thoroughly  bad  English  dress.  I  always 
melt  over  descriptions  of  the  South  &  sunshine.  You 
have  of  course  read  the  book,  &  will  recollect  the  very 
ludicrous  passages  about  Botticelli. 

I   have  been   suffering  dreadfully  from   depression,   a 
condition  which  seems  to  me  next  door  to  the  criminal. 
I  am  yours  always  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


(1896.) 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  43 

LIX. 


Pier  View,  Boscombe, 
25th  Dec. 


My  dear  *  *  * 

I  thought  of  you  this  morning,  though  I  was 
unable  to  assist  at  any  service.  Mother  has  given  me  a 
very  interesting  life  of  Bossuet,  &  Liguori's  little  book  on 
the  Blessed  Sacrament.  Every  one  has  been  very  kind 
here.  The  children  of  the  house  have  had  perfectly 
ravishing  toys  sent  them,  one  a  doll's  house  with  lifts, 
electric  bells,  baths,  etc.  To  say  nothing  of  a  perfectly 
Parisian  cook,  an  obedient  staff  of  servants,  &  a  duchess, 
by  the  look  of  her,  to  be  served  by  them. 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


LX. 

(December,  1 896— January,  1897.) 
(In  pencil.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  fear  my  much  looked  forward  to  visit  in 
the  New  Year  will  never  be  paid.  I  have  broken  down 
again  most  unexpectedly.  The  attack  came  on  out  of 
doors  &  I  had  some  way  to  walk  in  a  dreadful  state 
before  I  could  get  any  help.      Luckily  1  was  able  to  find 


44  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

my  way  to  a  drinking  fountain  &  a  bath  chair.     So  all 
begins  over  again.     It's  so  disheartening. 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
LXI. 

(January,  1897.) 
(In  pencil.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Just  a  line  to  give  you  rather  bad  news  of 
myself.  I  have  for  the  moment  collapsed  in  all  directions 
&  am  frightening  the  doctors  not  a  little.  All  this  is 
unexpected  &  unexplained.  As  soon  as  I  am  strong 
enough  to  move,  I  am  to  be  taken  to  some  more  bracing 
place. 

I  am  yours  always  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
LXII. 

(January,  1897.) 

Pier  View,  Boscombe. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  can't  tell  you  how  much  pleasure  the  little 
Watteau  has  given  me.  A  Royal  treat.  It  is  a  deli- 
cious volume,  &  contains  for  me  so  many  new  friends 
as  well  as  the  old.  The  coloured  frontispiece  is  adorable, 
I  shall  try  to  find  out  who  made  the  block.     How  very 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  45 

generous  the  publishers  have  been  with  their  illustrations, 
&  how  good  their  choice. 

I  really  feel  better  since  I  opened  the  parcel. 

LXIII. 
(January,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 

Bournemouth. 

Saturday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

It  has  been  weary  waiting  to  write  to  you. 
But  at  last  I  am  strong  enough  to  trail  a  pen.  Thank 
you  very  much  for  many  charming  letters.  .  .  .  Your 
sweet  friendliness  helps  me  over  such  alarming  difficulties. 
I  must  write  you  a  much  longer  letter  in  a  few  days  when 
I  am  feeling  stronger. 

1  miss  too  "  Le  chat  malade  "  in  the  little  volume  of 
Watteau. 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

Do  you  know  Sainte  Beuve's  "  Volupt^"? 

LXIV. 
Ganuary,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Road, 
Bournemouth. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  hope  your  hand  is  not  being  too  obstinate. 
Alas  that  the  education   of   the  left  hand  is  considered 


46  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

unnecessary.  Mine  is  quite  useless  to  me  even  in  the 
most  trifling  matters.  I  want  to  hear  more  of  the  youth 
who  plays  Burmese  music.  Y.  Z.  has  half  promised  me 
a  letter  from  you  about  him.  I  am  afraid  I  have  but 
scanty  materials  for  this  letter.  The  doctor  has  been 
able  to  leave  me  unvisited  for  a  few  days.  It  is  such 
a  change  to  feel  at  all  hopeful.  We  get  pleasant  letters 
from  M.  who  finds  the  new  engagement  very  agreeable. 
.  .  .  She  will  enjoy  so  much,  I  know,  having  a  good 
number  of  new  parts  to  study. 

I  look  daily  for  some  weather  that  may  be  likely  to 

tempt  you  down   here.     Y.  Z.  told   me  of  a  projected 

tour  to   Provence,  &   that  you   have  made  Beyle  your 

Baedeker.      Will  that  be  a  spring  or   summer  holiday? 

I  am  yours  always  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LXV. 
(January,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 

Bournemouth. 

Monday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  hope  fine  weather  will  soon  tempt  you 
to  come  to  Bournemouth.  Y.  Z.  wrote  to  me  that  you 
all  thought  of  spending  some  days  in  February.  How 
nice  it  will  be  to  see  you  after  such  a  long  absence.  Our 
new  rooms  are  very  pleasant,  &  1  am  already  much  more 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  47 

happy.     The  health  improves  but  I  hardly  dare  to  boast 
yet.     I  have  just  finished  reading  what  has  been  for  me 
an   extraordinarily  beautiful  work,    "  Volupte ".      I  had 
not  the  faintest  idea  that  Sainte  Beuve  had   written  any- 
thing like  it.     If  you  have  read  the  book  it  would  be  so 
charming  of  you  to  write  me  a  few  lines  about  it :  when 
your  hand  is  freed,  &  if  you  can  spare  me  the  time.     My 
little  library  is  in  durance  vile  for  the  moment,  but  as  the 
new  quarters  have  proved  a  success  I  shall  have  my  books 
unpacked  and  brought   to  me  in  a  day  or  two.       Is   it 
not  good  news  about  M.  ?  though  it  is  sad  of  course  to 
think  one  will  not  see  her  for  so  long.     Before  June  my 
lungs  may  have  done  dreadful  things.      Still  I  hope  with 
much  confidence  now  to  see  her  again.     A  fortnight  ago 
I   really  felt  wretched   over   her  delayed  return.      Dear 
girl,  she  would  feel  it  dreadfully  if  she  did  not  find  me 
here  when  she  came  back. 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


[LXVI.] 

(4th  February.  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 
Bouraemouth. 

My  DEAR  Z. 

I    have   to  thank   you   for   many   letters.     I 
suffer  a  Httle  from  the  name  of  this  house.      I  feel  as  shy 


48  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

of  my  address  as  a  boy  at  school  is  of  his  Christian  name 
when  it  is  Ebenezer  or  Aubrey. 

I  am  so  interested  in  your  Dominican  artist,^  because 
I  have  been  wondering  more  than  I  can  say  what  his 
work  can  be  Hke.  Your  letter  has  really  made  me 
curious.  Do  you  know  of  Fr.  Philpin  of  the  Brompton 
Oratory  ?  He  is  I  believe  the  doyen  of  the  community, 
&  a  considerable  painter.  But  what  a  stumbling  block 
such  pious  men  must  find  in  the  practice  of  their  art. 

Bournemouth  apparently  makes  no  pretence  of  being 
any  better  than  other  places  in  the  winter.  I  have  not 
yet  dared  to  be  taken  out,  even  in  a  chair.  Still  my 
amendment  is  daily.  I  am  amusing  myself  by  copying  a 
twenty  years'  old  photograph  of  Sarah  Bernhardt.  Such 
a  charming  thing. 

Yours  ever 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LXVII. 
(February,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouih. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Y.  Z.  has  been  with  us  to-day.     He  ex- 
claims at  my  rude  health. 

I  have  never  heard  Fr.  Sebastian  ^  preach,  he  ought  to 
be  impressive  in  the  pulpit,  with  such  a  line  presence. 

^Fr.  Sebastian  Gates,  O.P.  '^  The  Rev.  H.  S.  Bowden. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  49 

The  really  winter  weather  looks  as  if  it  were  going  to 
give  way  to  something  milder  here,  &  I  pray  that  nothing 
so  unpleasant  as  rain  or  an  east  wind  may  trouble  your 
visit. 

I  have  been  stupidly  nervous  about  myself  for  the  last 
two  days.  In  fact  I  have  sulked  shamefully.  You  must 
prepare  your  severest  advice  for  me  on  the  18th.  I  am 
very  anxious  for  you  to  have  a  chat  with  my  doctor  here. 
I  wonder  if  you  would.  You  know  doctors  are  so  reti- 
cent to  their  patients,  &  their  patients'  immediate  relations. 
But  nothing  is  gained  by  not  knowing  how  far  really  the 
trouble  has  gone.  I  feel  a  little  apprehensive.  This  is  a 
sad  scrawl,  but  I  am  in  haste  for  the  evening  post. 
Yours  very  affectionately 

&  as  a  younger  brother 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


LXVIII. 
(February,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 
Bournemouth. 
Sunday. 

My  DEAR  *  *  * 

Arsenic  is  to  my  mind  an  atrocious  drug. 

My  doctor  has  insinuated  it  into  several  of  my  medicines, 

with    signal   failure.       I    have   at   last    rebelled    formally 

against  its  presence  in  any  prescription.      I  was  greatly 

interested  in  the  portrait  you  sketched  me  of  your  little 

4 


50  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

friend,  designated  for  the  priesthood.  I  sympathise  with 
him  utterly  in  all  his  school  troubles,  for  I  know  how 
much  more  bitter  are  these  troubles  to  bear,  than  any 
others  that  come  in  later  life.  I  rejoice  with  him  in  his 
escape  from  so  much  anguish.  There  will  be  no  more 
tears,  I  am  sure,  at  St. 's  College. 

I  am  beginning  to  think  cheerfully  of  the  coming  spring, 
to  hope  that  I  may  be  well  enough  to  enjoy  the  sight  of 
new  leaves.  Last  year  I  was  robbed  shamefully  of  my 
April  &  May ;  I  believe  that  accounts  entirely  for  my 
persistent  wretchedness  ever  since. 

Is  it  true  that  Ed.  Toulouse,  who  wrote  the  book  you 
sent  me  on  Zola,  has  been  able  to  find  no  one  else  to 
submit  to  his  questionings,  &  that  Sarah  Bernhardt  turned 
him  indignantly  out  of  her  house?  I  have  been  reading 
a  very  charming  little  volume  of  Crebillon's  "  La  nuit  et 
le  moment,"  a  perfectly  delightful  piece  of  work.  My 
chances  of  recovery  improve  every  day.  Tomorrow  I 
am  to  go  out  in  a  chair,  if  the  weather  is  kind  &  gentle. 
I  am  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LXIX. 
(February,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Monday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Your  visit  here  was  much  too  short.     But  it 
was  so  nice  to  get  a  sight  of  you  even  for  so  short  a  time. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  51 

I  am  sure  your  arrival  Inaugurated  a  season  of  good  health 
for  me,  &  fine  weather.  I  look  forward  very  much  to 
seeing  Fr.  B.  tomorrow ;  it  was  so  good  of  you  to 
interest  him  in  me.  We  have  just  heard  from  M.  The 
letters  which  announced  my  relapse  &  my  recovery 
reached  her  simultaneously,  so  she  had  wherewith  to 
weep  over,  &  to  dry  her  tears,  all  at  once.  I  shall 
never  be  surprised  to  hear  of  her  return  any  day. 

The  rooms  in  Manchester  Street  have  awakened  great 
expectations ;  nowadays  I  shall  begin  to  count  my  weeks, 
in  schoolboy  fashion,  as  the  end  of  the  term  approaches. 
I  am  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
LXX. 

(February,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Tuesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

In  mypresent  state  »oplancan  be  entirely  with- 
out drawbacks.  When  a  new  one  is  proposed,  one  seems 
to  see  only  the  rosy  side  of  it,  but  after  it  has  been  discussed 
a  little  the  weak  places  in  it  become  painfully  evident. 

I  suppose  I  must  put  all  plans  out  of  my  head  for  the 
moment,  &  prepare  myself  to  abide  by  Doctor's  decisions 
as  soon  as  my  health  shows  signs  of  allowing  me  to  make 
an  immediate  move. 

"Fhe  weather  here  is  a  little  milder  today,  &  I  am  all 

4  * 


52  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

the  happier  for  the  change.  Of  course  I  have  the  fine 
weather  to  face  now,  so  must  not  utterly  loose  heart.  I 
am  so  frightened  of  not  getting  the  full  benefit  of  the  spring 
&  summer,  &  repeating  my  last  year's  mistakes.  I  havn't 
the  ghost  of  a  chance  of  improving  unless  I  am  able  to 
spend  some  of  my  time  out  of  doors,  &  attacks  such  as  I 
am  having  make  me  very  nervous  about  taking  exercise. 
I  feel  abominably  cross  as  well  as  depressed  when  I  think 
of  the  horrid  way  I  am  handicapped. 

Will  you  thank  for  me  my  dear  *  *  *  the  kind 
Dominican  you  tell  me  of,  &  Father  Ambrose,  &  indeed 
all  who  have  taken  such  a  kind  interest  in  my  poor 
troubles.  Father  B.  has  just  sent  me  an  admirable  little 
manual  of  Catholic  belief,  &  has  invited  me  to  send  for 
him  whenever  I  have  any  questions  to  ask. 

Thank  you  many  times  for  your  letter  so  full  of  sym- 
pathy &  encouragement.     You  will  forgive  me  for  being 
sometimes  peevish  &  complaining,  but  really  it  is  hard  to 
remain  quite  tranquil  with  so  many  set  backs. 
I  am  yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
LXXI. 

(February,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Tuesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

So   many  thanks    for    the    numbers  of   the 
Mercure.      Rachilde's  novel  looks  very  readable. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  53 

Spring  is  making  great  demonstrations  here  this  morning. 
I  am  able  to  leave  my  window  open  &  breathe  a  little 
wholesome  air.  Yesterday  afternoon  I  had  a  fresh  cause 
for  worry.  The  blood  having  ceased  almost  entirely  to 
come  from  the  lung,  began  to  flow  rather  copiously  from 
the  liver ;  at  least  Dr.  H.  supposes  that  the  new  haemor- 
rhage comes  from  there.  He  thinks  I  am  suffering  from 
congestion  of  the  liver.  I  was  in  a  dreadful  fright  about 
it,  &  too  weak  &  nervous  for  anything.  Father  B.  called 
in  the  middle  of  it  all  &  was  all  kindness  &  sympathy, 
&  sent  me  such  a  large  packet  of  charming  books  from 
their  library  to  keep  me  amused.  There  has  been  no 
return  of  the  trouble  today,  &  I  am  rather  laughing  at 
myself  for  my  fear  of  yesterday.  I  don't  think  anything 
really  serious  is  going  to  happen. 

I  am  yours  ever  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LXXII. 
(February,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Wednesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Rachilde  has  just  sent  me  her  novel  with  a 
charming  dedicace  inscribed  in  it.  I  am  writing  her  a 
note  of  thanks  this  evening. 

Tomorrow  morning  1  hope  to  be  well  enough  to  go 
up  to  the  Catholic  Church  to  see  Father  B.      1  am  quite 


54  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

near.     The  Jesuit  library  has  just  lent  me  Cretineau  Joly's 
history  of  the  order.     Have  you  ever  read  it? 

For  the  moment  fine  w^eather  is  having  a  great  triumph 
here,  but  my  content  is  sadly  mixed  with  impatience.  I 
think  it  must  be  exactly  a  year  today  since  I  broke  down  so 
tragically  at  Brussels.  Then  I  suppose  many  people  did 
not  think  I  should  live  twelve  months,  whilst  /  should  have 
been  beside  myself  if  I  had  thought  that  I  should  be  in 
twelve  months  no  better  than  I  am  now. 

I  am  always  yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LXXIII. 
(February,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 
Bournemouth. 
Thursday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Very  many  thanks  for  your  letter  &  the 
Archives. 

I  shall  look  forward  with  great  interest  to  the  continua- 
tion of  your  article. 

Miss  Hawtrey's  book  ^  must  be  capital.  The  education 
of  children  in  England  is  indeed  a  thing  to  make  one 
aghast.  So  much  prudishness  at  the  expense  of  purity. 
Such  criminal  ignorance. 

I  am  most  envious  of  J.  whose  conduct  of  life  puts  no 

'  The  Co-education  of  the  Sexes. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  55 

barrier  in  his  way  to  the  practical  acceptance  of  what  he 
believes  in. 

Heine  certainly  cuts  a  poor  figure  beside  Pascal.  If 
Heine  is  the  great  warning,  Pascal  is  the  great  example 
to  all  artists  &  thinkers.  He  understood  that  to  become 
a  Christian,  the  man  of  letters  must  sacrifice  his  gifts,  just 
as  Magdalen  must  sacrifice  her  beauty. 

Do  not  think  my  dear  *  *  *  that  your  kind  words  fall 
on  such  barren  ground.  However  I  fear  I  am  not  a  very 
fruitful  soil ;  I  only  melt  to  harden  again. 

I  hope  Master  Oswald's  penny  ^  will  inspire  a  veritable 
chef  d'oeuvre.  So  large  a  price  is  seldom  given  for 
masterpieces  of  fiction.  Oswald  will  never  make  a 
publisher. 

1  am  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


LXXiV. 
(February,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 
Bournemouth. 
Friday. 

My  DEAR  *  *  * 

Such  a  burst  of   sunshine  today,    a   perfect 

festival  of  light.      Still  it  is  weather  to  keep  one  over  the 

fire,  &  I  do  not  venture  out.     Dr.  H.  has  been  able  to 

examine   my  chest   thoroughly  today,    as   blister  wounds 

'  The  boy  offered  some  one  a  penny  to  write  him  an  original  story. 


56  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

have  healed  up.  I  don't  think  he  discovered  anything 
that  could  alarm  me  immediately.  The  right  lung,  which  I 
am  so  nervous  about,  has  got  no  w^orse,  &  the  disease  in 
the  left  has  advanced  but  very  slightly.  He  thinks  perhaps 
the  haemorrhage  mixture  I  am  taking  is  beginning  to  loose 
its  astringent  effects,  so  he  has  changed  my  medicine.  I 
hope  the  new  one  will  prove  effectual,  &  that  I  shall  be 
able  to  give  you  a  better  account  of  myself  next  week. 
At  present  my  mind  is  divided  between  the  fear  of  getting 
too  far  away  from  England,  &  the  fear  of  not  getting 
enough  sunshine,  or  rather  sun  warmth  near  home. 

I  have  read  the  chapters  you  indicated  in  Newman's 
book.      How  truly  admirable  they  are. 

I  am  yours  always  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LXXV. 

(February.  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 
Bournemouth. 
Monday. 

My  DEAR  *  *  * 

I  received  a  very  acceptable  parcel  of  books 

from  Burns  &  Oates  this  morning ;    &  it  is  you  I  know 

that   I   must   thank   for   them.       Thank   you   very   much. 

The  volumes  are  quite  new  to  me.      I  shall  read  them 

very  carefully  for  I  fear  I  am  sadly  equipped  for  the  fray 

controversial,  into  which  one  is  sometimes  forced  to  enter. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  57 

Father  B.  was  with  me  this  afternoon,  &  stayed  quite  a 
long  time,  so  I  had  a  much  more  fruitful  conversation  with 
him.     I  think  our  friendship  would  rapidly  mature. 

I  feel  I  am  really  getting  stronger  now.  How  1  wish 
I  had  come  into  Bournemouth  before  the  winter,  1  might 
have  escaped  so  much  trouble. 

I  am  always  your  very  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LXXVI. 
(February,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Wednesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Father  B.  came  to  see  me  yesterday,  but  un- 
fortunately I  had  not  the  opportunity  of  talking  to  him  as 
much  as  I  should  have  wished.  He  was  most  charming  & 
promised  to  come  to  see  me  often.  I  felt  much  drawn 
towards  him  &  I  believe  he  will  be  a  good  friend  of 
mine.  He  has  lent  me  a  long  life  of  Saint  Ignatius 
Loyola,  &  I  am  reading  for  the  first  time  a  history  of  the 
growth  and  foundation  of  the  Company.  Master  Oswald's 
letter  is  admirable.      I  can  appreciate  all  his  wants,  except 

the  one  for  a  watch.     To  live  in Street  &  to  serve 

as  an  acolyte  at ,  is  certainly  an  mgenious  programme. 

I  am  touched  to  think  of  his  childish  prayers  for  me.  I 
hope  some  day  1  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting  my 
little  beadsman.  I  wonder  whether  it  would  amuse  him 
to  receive  some  little  present  &  letter  from  a  stranger  ? 


58  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

You  could  tell  me  if  there  was  any  story  or  picture 
book,  or  something  of  that  sort  that  might  please  him. 
Do  let  me  know.     I  hope  he  will  not  have  too  severe 

tumbles  in  the  skating  gallery  of .     It  is  so  good  of 

you  my  dear  *  *  *  to  enquire  about  rooms  for  me.  This 
letter  will  I  suppose  cross  one  of  yours  with  some  news 
of  Manchester  Street.  The  weather  has  been  a  little 
colder  here,  so  I  have  not  ventured  out  today.  I  shall 
miss  a  very  kind  friend  at  my  side  next  time  I  am 
charioted  up  to  the  east  cliff.  I  was  so  interested  in 
what  you  tell  me  of  Reichmann's  book,  &  the  remarks  of 
Havelock  Ellis  in  EngUsh. 

I  look  forward  to  the  book  about  George  Sand,  I  am 
all  gratitude.  I  did  not  know  that  Huysmans  had  an- 
nounced a  new  work.  How  thoughtful  you  are,  dear 
*  *  *.  \  do  hope  I  am  the  most  grateful  of  creatures. 
I  am  yours  always  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
LXXVII. 

(February,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Friday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  think  a  letter  of  mother's  must  have  crossed 
yours  of  this  morning.  She  tells  me  that  she  has  settled 
to  remain  with  me.  .  .  . 

I  thought  of  you  much  at  four  o'clock  today. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  59 

I  will  tell  Father  B.  the  story  of  Joan.  It  is  surely  a 
most  edifying  one.  Thank  you  so  much  for  your  sugges- 
tion as  to  what  1  might  send  to  Oswald.  Where  on 
earth  may  prayer  books  in  Tartan  covers  be  found?  I 
believe  anybody  who  had  lived  much  on  mountains  would 
have  made  the  same  choice  as  your  Switzer.  I  am  sure 
the  Swiss  are  the  real  leaders  of  taste  in  Europe. 

Did  you  have  bagpipes  at  your  dinner  last  night  ? 
I  am  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

[LXXVIII.] 
(2nd  March,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Monday. 

My  dear  Z. 

I  was  so  glad  to  get  a  letter  from  you,  & 
such  a  charming  copy  of  verses.  Your  last  line  is  quite 
in  the  manner  of  Mons.  Durant.'  Very  many  thanks  for 
the  sight  you  have  given  me  of  the  Roman  Phial. 

The  delay  caused  by  Glasgow  &  its  master  has  only 
whetted  my  appetite  for  the  early  pages  of  Adolphe. 

Today  my  observations  of  wind  &  sun  led  me  to  very 
false  conclusions.  I  soon  had  to  tell  my  cocher  to  turn 
back,  &  I  find  myself  writing  this  with  frozen  fingers. 

How  is  Benack  ?  ^ 

Ever  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

'  Dante  Alighieri.  *  A  black  kitten. 


60        LAST  LETTERS  OF 

LXXIX. 
(March,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd. 
Bournemouth. 
Friday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  had  such  a  profitable  talk  with  dear  Father 
B.  yesterday  morning.  I  saw  him  at  the  Catholic  Church. 
He  was  so  kind  &  patient  with  me,  &  explained  the 
creed  of  Pius  IV.  most  fully. 

Yes  it  would  be  pleasant  to  go  on  "  famously  ",  Per- 
haps I  shall. 

My  nerves  certainly  are  a  different  thing  now  to  what 
they  were  two  or  three  months  ago.  Drawing  of  course 
tires  me  on  account  of  the  mere  physical  exertion  re- 
quired when  I  attempt  to  bring  anything  to  completion. 
Still  I  can  plan  out  things  easily  now.  I  am  also  writing 
a  little  again.  Cazotte  has  inspired  me  to  make  some 
small  contes.  I  have  one  on  hand  now  called  *'  The 
Celestial  Lover ".  I  hope  it  will  be  good.  I  am  also 
making  a  coloured  picture  for  it.  Please  forgive  all  this 
but  I  have  nothing  more  notable  to  tell  you  of  myself.  I 
am  all  gratitude  for  so  much  good  natured  weather ;  even 
London  I  believe  is  behaving  itself  nicely. 

What  a  pretty  naive  letter  Oswald  writes. 

I  am  beginning  to  marvel  at  my  continually  increasing 
capacity  for  drinking  milk.      It  is  simply  Providential. 
I  am  yours  ever  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  61 

LXXX. 

(March,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Thursday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Mansion's  very  interesting  volume  arrived 
this  morning.  Thank  you  so  much  for  it.  What  a  nice 
ample  creature  George  Sand  is.  Like  a  wonderful  old 
cow  with  all  her  calves.  I  recollect,  long  ago,  in  my 
first  boyhood,  beginning  a  novel,  the  heroine  of  which 
became  sadly  spoiled  by  reading  Lelia.  She  also 
refused  to  eat  at  meals,  but  carried  bonbons  &  sweet 
biscuits  about  with  her  in  her  pocket.  I  have  quite  for- 
gotten her  name.  I  am  reminded  of  her  by  the  first 
pages  of  the  "  Histoire  d'Amour,"  &  by  the  pangs  of 
hunger  I  am  suffering  just  at  this  moment.  Dinner  not  to 
appear  for  another  hour,  &  no  confiserie  at  hand. 

Spring  cleaning  is  going  forward  at  Muriel  today, 
which  has  made  me  nervous  &  cross,  it  is  so  trying  to 
hop  about  from  one  room  to  another. 

I  am  receiving  long  lectures  here,  from  pillars  of  the 
Anglican  faith,  a  propos  of  my  communications  with  the 
kind  Fathers  of  the  Sacred  Heart. 

I  am  always  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


62  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

LXXXI. 
(March.  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 
Bournemouth. 
Wednesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

So  many  thanks  for ,   welcome 

enough  after  so  many  delays  in  its  coming  out.  How 
nice  it  looks.  Visitors  &  some  unavoidable  letter  writ- 
ing, have  not  left  me  time  to  get  far  into  the  charming  & 
witty  book,  but  with  five  chapters  to  my  credit  may  I 
congratulate  you  on  a  delightful  piece  of  work.  March 
has  set  in  here  in  fine  seasonable  style,  with  winds  that 
humble  the  pines  &  have  taken  off  a  great  part  of  the 
roof  of  Newly n's  hotel. 

Father  B.  has  just  spent  a  few  minutes  with  me  & 
has  lent  me  such  a  beautiful  life  of  St.  Aloysius,  full 
of  the  most  charming  pictures.  I  am  very  grateful  to 
you  for  having  introduced  so  kind  a  friend  to  me  as 
Fr.  B. 

I  have  finished  Marieton's  book  on  Sand  &  Musset. 
With  the  recollection  I  have  of  a  portrait — seen  somewhere 
of  George  Sand,  the  love  stories  seem  to  me  inexplicable. 
I  am  devoured  with  curiosity  to  see  some  of  Alfred  de 
Musset's  drawings. 

I  am  yours  always  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  63 

LXXXII. 
(March,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 
Bournemouth. 
My  dear  *  *  *  Sunday. 

I  am  up  a  little  today.  This  last  attack  of 
mine  has  been  rather  venemous  &  is  rather  obstinate  too. 
It  upsets  all  my  plans.  Dr.  H.  speaks  more  seriously  of 
my  condition  &  is  a  little  frightened  of  his  promise  to 
allow  me  up  to  Town.  It  will  be  hard  for  me  to  give 
up  my  trip  to  London.  I  counted  on  it  so  much,  & 
thought  of  it  as  something  certain.  Still  I  suppose  I  must 
be  resigned  about  it.  It  icoidd  be  wiser  no  doubt  to 
move  to  a  place  where  I  could  rest  straight  off  for  five 
or  six  months.  Dr.  H.  spoke  of  one  or  two  places  in 
Brittany,  he  seems  to  be  loosing  faith  in  England  for  my  case. 
Do  give  me  your  best  advice  dear  *  *  *  about  it  all.  You 
told  me  of  some  place  (near  Bordeaux  was  it  not)  that  you 
knew  &  liked.  I  fancy  I  can  count  my  life  by  months  now. 
Father  B.  has  spent  this  afternoon  with  me.  He  was 
most  kind  &  sympathetic  &  we  had  much  to  talk  about. 
I  am  always  yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LXXXIII. 
(March,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
My  dear  *  *  *  Monday. 

How  thankful  I  am  to  be  able  to  tell  you 
that  the  blood  appears  much  less  frequently  and  in  much 


64  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

smaller  quantities.  A  few  days,  I  dare  say,  will  see  the 
end  of  it.  Thank  you  so  much  for  your  letter  and  the 
Journal.  I  am  grieved  indeed  that  yours  has  been 
"  the  dog's  Hfe " ;  I  hope  all  the  worries  have  been 
transient. 

Rachilde's  novel  will  I  am  sure  interest  me  much. 

I  have  read  a  little  about  the  Bl.  John  Berchmans  in 
my  life  of  S.  Aloysius.  Those  two  with  S.  Stanislaus 
Kotska  make  a  very  beautiful  trinity,  do  they  not  ? 

I  am  looking  forward  to  having  dear  Father  B.  with  me 
this  afternoon.  Yes,  the  London  delay  is  very  trying, 
still  I  suppose  I  must  be  patient.  I  am  going  to  do  my 
best  to  lay  in  a  stock  of  strength  &  health  here.  I  am 
sure  dear  *  *  *  you  will  pray  that  my  efforts  may  be 
rewarded  with  success. 

I  am  always  yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

[LXXXIV.] 

(19th  March,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 

Bournemouth. 

Friday. 

My  DEAR  Z. 

I  was  immensely  pleased  with  the  translation 
from  Grillparzer,  &  must  thank  you  very  much  for  letting 
me  have  a  sight  of  it. 

What  is  its  destination  ? 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  65 

I  return  it  to  you  according  to  your  wish.  The  character 
of  Medea  is  most  sweet  &  enchanting. 

My  health  troubles  have  for  the  moment  relapsed  into 
silence,  &  I  am  left  almost  without  anything  to  write  about. 

I  wonder  if  you  could  tell  me  the  right  place  for  Pere 
Goriot  in  the  Comedie  Humaine.  Should  it  be  in  the 
Vie  Privee  or  the  Vie  Parisienne? 

In  the  edition  definitive  of  Balzac  P^re  Goriot  is  in 
the  Scenes  de  la  Vie  Privee,  but  all  earlier  or  subsequent 
editions  place  him  in  the  Scenes  de  la  Vie  Parisienne. 
It  is  rather  important  for  me  to  be  certain  of  his  really 
right  position,  &c  I  should  be  so  glad  if  you  would  help 
me  to  a  correct  solution  of  my  difficulty.  I  have  no 
means  of  finding  out  anything  here. 

Such  blessed  weather  to-day,  trees  in  all  directions 
are  putting  forth  leaves. 

Yours  ever 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


LXXXV. 

(March,  1897.) 


Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 

Bournemouth. 

Wednesday. 


My  dear  *  *  * 

I  have  certainly  made  a  great  advance  any- 
way since  January.  It  seems  I  had  no  cause  for  alarm 
with  my  new  symptom,  as  there  has  been  no  return  of 
haemmorhage.       The    lung    too   is  quieting    down.       Dr. 

H.  has  just  been  in  &  seems  quite  satisfied. 

5 


66  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

This  letter  has  been  quite  spoilt  by  late  afternoon 
callers,  &  I  have  not  now  any  time  to  finish  it  properly. 

Oswald  must  learn  to  like  bread  &  butter,  an  ac- 
quired taste  I  must  admit.  /  have  acquired  it  after  many 
years  of  effort. 

I  shall  look  forward  to  the  life  of  S.  John  Berchmans. 
I  did  not  know  that  he  was  fully  canonized,  &  imagined 
him  only  "  Blessed  ", 

By  the  way  I  have  just  got  myself  a  paint-box,  there 
have  been  quite  happy  results. 

I  must  leave  off  here. 

Yours  always  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

LXXXVI. 

(February,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 
Bournemouth. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Today  I  have  absolutely  ventured  to  a 
concert,  &  there  has  been  no  disastrous  results.  Bee- 
thoven No.  4  was  given,  the  first  time  of  hearing  for  me, 
&  a  great  treat  after  my  long  exile  from  music.  Dr.  H. 
was  at  my  side  in  attendance,  ready  to  feel  my  pulse,  & 
help  me  in  case  of  calamity. 

I  am  so  glad  to  have  the  life  of  S.  John  Berchmans,  it 
has  just  arrived.  It  will  be  so  interesting  to  compare  it 
with  the  life  of  S.  Aloysius. 

I  have  not  yet  begun  the  Factices,     Most  of  my  time 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  67 

is  spent  just  now  in  sketching  out  pictures  to  be  finished 
later,  Boussod  Valadon  are  reproducing  in  colour  a 
little  frontispiece  I  have  made  for  Mdlle.  de  Maupin. 
I  am  awfully  anxious  to  see  how  it  comes  out.  I  am 
hoping  they  will  do  all  my  work  for  me  now. 
I  am  really  feeling  much  brighter  &  stronger. 
I  am  ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

[LXXXVII.] 
(23rd  March,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Tuesday. 

My  dear  Z. 

A  thousand  thanks  for  your  kind  information, 
I  am  most  grateful  for  it,  but  pray  1  have  not  given  you  too 
much  trouble. 

I  will  abide  by  the  Edition  definitive. 

Such  ravishing  weather  here. 


Ever  yours 

A.  B. 


LXXXVIII. 

(March,  1897.) 

(In  pencil.) 


Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 
Bournemouth. 


My  dear  *  *  * 

...   I   am  in  bed  again,  as  you  may  gather 
from  this  pencilled  writing,  with  an  attack  of  blood  spitting. 


68  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

It  came  on  this  morning  at  3  o'clk,  rather  severely,  &  I 
was  dreadfully  nervous.  Dr.  H.  takes  a  mild  view  of 
the  new  trouble  &  thinks  I  shall  pull  round  in  a  few  days. 
March  winds  have  done  it.  Forgive  a  short  letter,  as  I 
must  not  sit  up  too  much. 

Yours  ever  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
LXXXIX. 

(March,  1897.) 

(In  pencil.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Friday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

I  am  a  little  better  today,  but  not  yet  allowed 
out  of  bed.  I  hope  to  be  up  tomorrow.  I  do  pray  that 
you  will  not  give  yourself  too  much  trouble  over  the 
search  for  rooms.  Really  you  must  not,  for  I  know 
you  have  always   so  much  to   do  &  to  think  about. 

The  life  of  St.  Aloysius  is  perfectly  charming,  what  a 
most  loveable  creature  he  must  have  been.  The  life 
is  written  by  Fr.  Virgil  Cepari,  S.J.,  &  is  edited  with  a 
great  number  of  interesting  notes.  Perhaps  you  know 
the  book. 

What  are  Captain  Burrard's  poems  &  novels  like? 

I  am  amused  at  the  account  of  my  dinner  with  Harland. 
I  have  never  left  him  in  the  middle  of  my  meal,  &  never 
at  any  time  have  I  been  in  a  boat  with  evening  clothes. 
But  what  a  pity  to  spoil  such  a  charming  story. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  69 

I  look  forward  to  the  messages  from  Rachilde,  Oswald, 

&  Fr. .     I  am  reading  that  chapter  in  Newman's 

book. 

I  am  always  yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XC. 

(March,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 

Bournemouth. 

Wednesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

.  .  .  The  blood  is  still  very  obstinate,  but 
does  not,  I  am  glad  to  say,  keep  me  a  prisoner  in  bed. 

You  see  my  cough  keeps  re-opening  the  wound,  in  the 
morning  especially. 

However  Dr.  H.  thinks  there  is  not  much  fear  of  it 
becoming  chronic.  Oh  how  tired  I  am  of  hearing  my 
lung  creak  all  day,   like  a  badly  made  pair  of  boots. 

One  thing  consoles  me  ;  I  get  very  cheerful  letters  from 
M.  now.  She  seems  to  be  having  such  a  good  time,  & 
to  be  a  great  success. 

I  suppose  I  may  console  myself  a  little  too,  with  the 
fact  that  the  wind  is  no  longer  in  the  east.  You  can 
hardly  guess  the  irritation  caused  by  an  east  wind  to  any 
one  in  my  state. 

I  think  of  the  past  winter  and  autumn  with  unrelieved 
bitterness ;    what   murderous   weather,   the   most   radiant 


70  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

spring,  the  most  scorching  summer  can  never  make  up 
for  the  last  six  months. 

Ill  temper  I  am  told  is  sometimes  a  sign  of  approaching 
convalescence.  If  it  is,  my  dear  *  *  *,  I  must  not  loose 
hope. 

I  am  always  yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


XCI. 

(March,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Saturday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

Thank  you  so  much  for  all  your  kind  efforts 

in  Manchester  Street.      I  am  so  sorry  Mrs. has  no 

accommodation.  I  think  the  idea  of  an  hotel  (w^ith  a  lift) 
is  a  very  attractive  one,  especially  as  there  may  be  some 
chance  of  M.  coming  back  sooner,  &  it  is  so  difficult  to 
get  extra  rooms  in  lodgings.  The  draw^backs  would  be 
the  (possibly)  too  heavy  expense  for  the  private  sitting 
room — they  set  such  a  price  upon  them  in  hotels — and 
the  arbitrary  per  head  charges  for  meals.  You  see  meals 
for  two  should  not  be  double  the  cost  of  meals  for  one. 
Of  course  some  arrangement  might  be  made.  But  if  the 
hotel  turns  out  to  be  too  ruinous,  &  our  expenditure  in 
these  matters  could  not  be  controlled,  then  we  will  decide 
for  lodgings,  &  should  be  so  glad  to  rely  on  your  judg- 
ment &  decision  in  the  choice  of  them.     We  will  leave 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  71 

Bournemouth  on  Tuesday  April  the  6th.  I  shall  recollect 
the  answer  you  have  given  me  when  I  am  assailed  next 
time  with  cross  questionings  from  Anglican  pillars,  & 
will  make  a  shield  of  M.'s  example.  I'm  afraid  I  was 
not  able  to  get  anything  really  nice  for  Oswald,  as  the 
little  Catholic  shop  here  did  nor  offer  very  much  choice 
of  pictures.  I  have  sent  him  a  small  picture  representing 
the  Chalice  &  Wafer  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  &  a  little 
volume  of  miniature  lives  of  the  Saints,  one  for  each  day 
in  the  year.  I  hope  I  have  done  nothing  wrong.  1  was 
able  to  take  a  very  charming  drive  to-day,  the  sunshine 
&  soft  winds  seem  to  do  me  a  world  of  good.  ...  Be 
assured  that  your  brotherly  affection  finds  a  very  warm 
response  in  my  heart.  I  expect  1  may  be  seeing  Fr.  B. 
this  afternoon  (Sunday). 

I  am  always  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

I  had   a  youth  from  Cambridge  to   see  me  yesterday, 
one  of  the  originals  1  fancy  of  the  "Babe". 

XCII. 
(30lh  March,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Road, 

Bournemouth. 

Tuesday. 

My  dear  *  *  * 

This  morning,   alas,   saw  a  slight  return  of 
bleeding.      Yesterday   was    so    cold    &    wintiy,    &   my 


72  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

lung  got  into  a  very  irritable  state,  therefore  I  was  not 
entirely  surprised  at  this  little  relapse.  Dr.  H.  suggests 
that  I  should  soon  get  into  some  much  warmer  climate, 
but  does  not  think  I  should  venture  further  than  the 
south  of  France.  Of  course  that  is  a  delightful  pro- 
gramme if  it  is  only  possible  to  carry  it  out.  I  have 
asked  Dr.  H.  to  write  to  you  about  me,  as  he  will  be 
able  to  give  you  a  much  more  business-like  account  of 
my  present  state  of  health  than  I  could.  You  will  know 
better  how  to  advise  me  when  you  have  heard  from 
him.  I  believe  in  some  ways  that  he  is  rather  satisfied 
with  me. 

Though  I  often  get  depressed  about  myself,  still  I 
cannot  help  feeling  sometimes  that  the  end  is  less  near 
for  me  than  it  seems.  I  know  the  disease  cannot  be 
cured,  but  its  progress  surely  may  be  prevented  from 
becoming  rapid.  Don't  think  me  foolish  to  haggle  about 
a  few  months,  you  will  understand  dear  *  *  *  how 
precious  they  may  be  to  me  for  many  reasons  now.  I 
am  beginning  to  look  forward  to  bringing  out  two  or 
three  pictured  contes ;  it  is  good  of  you  to  give  me  such 
encouraging  words. 

We  heard  from  M.  yesterday.  She  will  be  home  in 
nine  weeks.  The  dear  child  has  I  know  been  very 
homesick  all  this  time.  How  jolly  it  will  be  to  see  her 
again. 

Father   B.    has    been  with  me    this   afternoon,    &   to- 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  73 

morrow  dear  *  *  *  the  kind  name  of  brother  you  give 
me  will  have  a  deeper  significance. 

I  will  write  much  more  about  this  to  you  tomorrow. 
I  am  always  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


XCIII. 
(31st  March,  1897.) 


Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 

Bournemouth. 

Wednesday. 


My  dear  *  *  * 

Very   many   thanks   indeed    for    your    little 
line.  .  .  . 

This  morning  I  was  received  by  dear  Father  B.  into 
the  church,  making  my  first  confession,  with  which  he 
helped  me  so  kindly.  My  first  communion  will  be  made 
next  Friday.  I  was  not  well  enough  to  go  up  to  the 
church,  &  on  Friday  the  Blessed  Sacrament  will  be 
brought  me  here.  This  is  a  very  dry  account  of  what 
has  been  the  most  important  step  in  my  life,  but  you  will 
understand  fully  what  those  simple  statements  mean.  I 
don't  feel  I  can  write  a  long  letter  to-day. 

Your  letter  has  just  arrived,  &  I  am  touched  more  than 
I  can  say  with  all  your  loving  sympathy. 

I  am  feeling  so  happy  now. 

Good-bye  my  dear  friend  &  brother,  &  with  the 
deepest  gratitude  for  all  your  prayers 

I  am  ever  yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


74  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

XCIV. 
(1st  April.  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 

Bournemouth. 

Thursday. 

My  dearest  Friend  &  Brother 

...  I  feel  confident  that  the  change  will  give 
me  a  new  lease  of  life.  Dr.  H.  thinks  that  on  the  whole 
Mentone  will  be  the  best  place  for  me.  .  .  .  The  move 
could  be  made  next  Tuesday  at  the  earliest. 

I  am  told  to  fear  nothing  from  the  journey.  How 
thoughtful  is  your  suggestion  that  some  one  should  be 
with  me  on  boat  &  train.  The  greatest  help  I  could  have 
would  be  in  the  matter  of  looking  after  luggage  at 
Custom  House,  moving  it  across  Paris  &  making  ar- 
rangements at  any  Hotel.  I  believe  the  ubiquitous  Cook 
will  be  able  to  supply  us  with  some  one  who  will  Pilot  us 
all  our  way,  &  relieve  one  of  a  world  of  worries.  I  am 
writing  to  Cook's  to  see  what  can  be  managed.  To  be 
independent  of  one's  luggage  is  the  greatest  blessing  a 
traveller  can  ask.  I  shall  know  more  about  all  this  in  a 
day  or  so. 

I  can't  tell  you  how  much  I  look  forward  to  the  South. 
It  is  bitterly  cold  here  just  now,  but  I  have  been  getting 
into  quite  a  glow  over  a  packet  of  Rivieran  photographs. 
There  is  !  notice  at  Mentone  a  delightful  1  7th  century 
church,  very  similar,  by  the  way,  to  one  that  I  am  putting 
in  the  background  of  a  picture  at  this  moment. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  75 

Father  B.  came  to  see  me  this  afternoon,  &  brought  me 
such  a  dear  little  Rosary,  that  had  been  blessed  by  the 
Holy  Father.  He  explained  to  me  the  use  of  it.  I  feel 
now,  dear  *  *  *,  like  some  one  who  has  been  standing 
waiting  on  the  doorstep  of  a  house  upon  a  cold  day,  & 
who  cannot  make  up  his  mind  to  knock  for  a  long  while. 
At  last  the  door  is  thrown  open  &  all  the  warmth  of  kind 
hospitality  makes  glad  the  frozen  traveller. 

I  am  writing  to  M.  tomorrow  to  tell  her  the  good 
news.  How  happy  she  will  be  about  it.  .  .  .  You 
are  truly  our  brother. 

As  I  told  you  I  make  my  first  communion  tomorrow  at 
1  1 .      Do  think  of  me  just  then. 

My  great  difficulty  for  some  time  yet,  I  fear,  will  be 
dryness  &  difficulty  in  prayer.  You  will  I  [am]  sure 
help  me  in  yours.     Goodbye  dear  *  *  * 

I  am  yours  always  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

xcv. 

(2nd  April,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Exeter  Rd., 

Bournemouth. 

Friday. 

My  dear  *  *  *,  MY  DEAR  BROTHER 

The  Blessed  Sacrament  was  brought  to  me 
here  this  morning.  It  was  a  moment  of  profound  joy  of 
gratitude  &  emotion.  I  gave  myself  up  entirely,  utterly 
to  feelings  of  happiness,   &  even  the  knowledge  of  my 


76  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

own  unworthiness  only  seemed  to  add  fuel  to  the  flame 
that  warmed  &  illuminated  my  heart. 

Oh  how  earnestly  I  have  prayed  that  that  flame  may 
never  die  out ! 

My  dear  *  *  *  I  understand  now  so  much  you  have 
written  to  me,  that  seemed  difficult  before. 

Through  all  eternity  I  shall  be  unspeakably  grateful  to 
you  for  your  brotherly  concern  for  my  spiritual  advance- 
ment. 

This  afternoon  I  have  felt  a  little  sad  at  the  thought  of 
my  compulsory  exile  from  Church  just  now ;  &  that  the 
divine  privilege  of  praying  before  the  Blessed  Sacrament 
is  not  permitted  me. 

You  can  guess  how  I  long  to  assist  at  Mass,  &  you 
will  pray,  I  know,  that  I  may  soon  be  strong  enough  to 
do  so. 

Goodbye  dear  *  *  * 

I   am  yours  always  very  affectionately 
&  very  gratefully 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

XCVI. 
(3rd  April,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Saturday. 

My  dear  Brother 

Just  a  few  lines  of  heartfelt  thanks  for  your 
wonderfully  kind  gift.  It  is  so  good  of  you,  so  thought- 
ful.     Many  many  thanks. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  77 

I  have  heard  from  Cook  this  morning  &  if  I  travel  on 
Thursday  I  shall  have  the  benefit  of  one  of  their  ordinary 
courriers  vs^hose  duty  it  is  to  make  all  arrangements  about 
luggage,  etc.  If  this  is  settled  on  I  should  leave  Bourne- 
mouth on  Wednesday  &  spend  the  afternoon  &  night  in 
London,  staying  at  the  Hotel  at  Charing  Cross  which  is 
the  station  of  departure  for  Folkestone. 

I  shall  be  very  thankful  for  these  few  hours  in  Town 
that  will  give  me  the  chance  of  seeing  you  &  having  a 
nice  long  talk  about  everything.     I  have  heard  of  a  good 

&  moderate  hotel  at  Mentone,   "  The ;  "  &  have 

written  to  them  about  rooms  &  terms.  Dr  H.  has  just 
paid  me  a  visit,  &  has  consequently  cut  my  letter  rather 
short. 

How  I  must  thank  you  for  your  watch  before  the 
Blessed  Sacrament !  I  have  made  &  will  make  fer- 
vently the  exchange  you  ask. 

Father  B.  did  not  baptize  me  as  he  was  satisfied  that  I 
had  already  received  the  Sacrament  with  all  the  neces- 
sary form.  You  know  I  have  a  second  name  that  will 
make  one  of  the  S.  Vincents  my  patron. 

There  is  a  S.  Vincent  of  Lerins  a  Saint  of  Provence 
who  should  be  my  immediate  patron  now. 

With  much  love  dear  *  *  * 

I  am  yours  ever  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


78  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

[XCVII.] 

(4th  April,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Saturday. 

My  dear  Z. 

Thank  you  so  much  for  your  very  kind  & 
sympathetic  letter,  &  for  your  thought  of  me  on  Friday 
morning.  It  is  such  a  rest  to  be  folded  after  all  my 
wandering.  I  feel  sadly  my  inability  to  attend  any 
services  at  Church  just  now ;  it  has  even  been  impossible 
for  me  to  spend  a  few  minutes  before  the  Blessed  Sacra- 
ment, as  we  have  been  having  absolutely  winter  weather. 
But  I  so  hope  there  will  come  some  fine  weather  that  will 
allow  me  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  Sacred  Heart  before  I 
leave  Bournemouth.  I  have  had  the  least  possible  return 
of  my  trouble  this  morning,  &  have  flown  to  a  blister  for 
relief.      Nothing  serious  I  think  is  going  to  happen. 

I  am  all  impatience  to  get  to  the  South,  &  I  have  the 
most  entire  faith  in  the  healing  qualities  of  Sunshine  and 
Sunwarmth.  Photographs  of  Mentone  make  it  charming. 
It  seems  they  are  having  a  glorious  season  there,  &  I  am 
told  to  be  well  prepared  for  the  extremes  of  heat. 

1  have  just  been  presented  with  a  Johnson's  Diction- 
ary, a  second  edition  in  two  mighty  folios.  They  grow 
bigger  every  time  I  look  at  them. 

With  heartfelt  thanks  for  all  your  kind  wishes  for  my 
spiritual  welfare. 

I  am  ever  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  79 

XCVIII. 

(5th  April,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth. 
Monday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Superintendence  of  packing  &  farewell  visitors 
have  taken  up  all  my  time  today,  &  left  me  but  a  few 
moments  for  my  letter.  I  shall  arrive  on  Wednesday 
(Waterloo)  at  4.45  in  the  afternoon.  How  kind  &  sweet 
of  you  to  come  &  meet  me  &  to  allow  me  the  luxury  of 
your  carriage.  I  think  of  staying  two  or  three  days  in 
town  &  getting  an  opinion  about  my  state  from  Dr.  Symes 
Thompson,  who  by  the  way,  knows  my  case.  Yester- 
day morning  &  this  morning  there  have  been  slight 
returns  of  bleeding,  &  Dr.  H.  seems  a  little  uncertain 
about  allowing  me  such  a  long  journey  without  a  second 
advice. 

As  my  stay  in  Town  is  to  be  prolonged  I  think  some 
quieter  hotel  than  the  Charing  Cross  would  be  better  for 
me,  &  I  have  written  to  the  Windsor  in  Victoria  Street 
to  know  if  they  can  take  us  in.  I  hear  London  is  very 
full  just  now  &  that  I  may  have  some  difficulty  in  getting 
rooms. 

I  shall  miss  Father  B.  very  much  when  I  leave  here. 
He  has  been  such  a  kind  &  sympathetic  friend  to 
me,  &  of  course  has  the  most  important  place  in  my 
memory. 

Please  forgive  such  a  hurried  &  ill  written  letter. 


80  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

I  have  a  heap  of  things  to  talk  to  you  about. 

Our  boxes  are  all  packed  ready  for  any  move  any- 
where. 

I  have  just  got  a  Garden  of  the  Soul  &  a  little  Testa- 
ment from  the  Catholic  bookshop  here.  It  is  kept  by  such 
an  amusing  old  Frenchwoman  who  has  taken  the  deepest 
interest  in  my  conversion. 

Good-bye  my  dear  *  *  *  with  best  love  to  all. 

Yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley 

XCIX. 
(6th  April,  1897.) 

Muriel,  Bournemouth, 
Tuesday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  have  just  said  good-bye  to  Father  B.  He 
has  been  so  kind  &  sympathetic  all  this  time  &  I  felt  very 
sad  at  saying  farewell.  I  am  grateful  indeed  to  you  for 
having  introduced  me  to  such  a  good  friend. 

I  am  looking  forward  to  tomorrow  more  than  I  can 
say. 

The  Windsor  Hotel  has  just  wired  that  they  have 
rooms.  I  am  cherishing  a  timid  hope  that  there  will  be 
kindly  weather  for  the  journey  to  town. 

With  best  love  to  all. 

Yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  81 

C. 

(April,  1897.) 

Hotel  Voltaire, 

Paris. 

Saturday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Our  travelling  went  off  so  capitally,  thanks 
to  the  kind  care  of  Dr.  P.  I  don't  know  what  we  should 
have  done  without  him. 

I  felt  a  little  unwell  in  the  train  on  the  way  to  Dover 
but  nothing  happened. 

The  sea  was  beautifully  calm  &  unruffled.  From 
Calais  to  Paris  my  spirits  &  appearance  improved  every 
half  hour.  This  hotel  has  no  lift  but  they  seem  very 
willing  to  carry  me  up  &  down  stairs,  &  they  carry  me, 
by  the  way,  quite  nicely.  Our  proper  rooms  have  not 
been  allotted  to  us  yet.  I  will  give  you  full  particulars 
about  them  when  we  are  installed. 

I  think  Dr.  P.  was  surprised  at  the  way  in  which  I  got 
through  the  move.     I  don't  feel  in  the  least  tired. 

My  little  stay  in  London  was  such  a  bright  &  happy 
one,  now  I  [am]  again  looking  forward  to  seeing  you. 
Paris  you  will  find  looking  perfectly  sweet.  Such  delicious 
tender  green  upon  the  trees.  From  my  window  I  have  a 
view  which  pleases  me  more  than  I  can  say.  I  think  of 
you  dear  *  *  *  at  every  turn  with  affection.  .  .  .  With 
much  love. 

Very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley 
6 


82  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

CI. 

(1897.) 

Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire, 
Paris,  1 1  th  April. 

My  dearest  Brother 

If  I  only  dared  to  boast  I  should  give  you  a 
very  flourishing  account  of  myself,  health  &  spirits.  I 
scarcely  feel  any  fatigue  from  walking,  &  I  am  spending 
just  now  a  good  deal  of  time  out  of  doors.  The  weather 
is  still  rather  cold,  but  there  is  delicious  sunshine  today. 
We  have  not  yet  been  able  to  move  into  our  right  rooms 
at  the  Hotel,  &  for  the  moment  I  suffer  mild  discomfort 
on  floor  the  fourth. 

I  like  the  Voltaire  very  much,  particularly  for  its  situa- 
tion. A  real  drawback,  however,  is  that  I  shall  not  be 
able  to  get  a  private  sitting  room,  not  even  a  tiny  salon ; 
but  my  bed  is  in  an  alcove,  &  curtained  off,  leaves  me 
quite  a  nice  room  for  the  day.  There  is  a  charming  book 
shop  one  door  from  the  Voltaire,  I  have  just  asked  for 
their  catalogue,  &  bought  such  an  interesting  book  on 
Moliere  &  the  Comedie  Italienne,  that  has  very  amusing 
cuts. 

The  nearest  Church  to  me  is  S.  Thomas  d'Aquin,  in 
Rue  du  Bac,  a  large  handsome  place,  nice  &  warm  too ; 
I  feel  quite  strong  enough  now  to  attend  services. 

Thank  you  so  much  for  the  Golden  Manual,  it  must  be 
surely  quite  the  best  book  of  its  kind. 

I  rejoice  greatly  at  being  here  again,  not  so  long  ago  I 
found  myself  shedding  real  tears  at  the  thought  of  having 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  83 

seen  Paris  for  the  last  time.  How  surprised  M.  will  be 
when  she  knows  our  latest  move,  &  enchanted  too  at  the 
prospect  of  joining  me  in  the  city  beautiful.  I  have  just 
written  to  her. 

It  is  quite  wonderful  how  well  Paris  air  suits  my  trouble, 
I  am  thankful  indeed  to  Dr.  P.  for  his  sage  advice.  You 
cannot  imagine  how  kind  &  thoughtful  he  was  all  through 
our  voyage  here,  I  had  not  a  thing  to  trouble  about  from 
beginning  to  end  of  the  journey. 

I  write  this  at  a  Cafe  that  gets  very  full  during  the 
entr'actes  at  the  theatre  Fran^ais,  where  a  matinee  of 
L'Avare  is  in  progress. 

Goodbye  dear  *  *  *^  I  look  forward  much  to  your 
arrival. 

Love  from  us  to  all. 

With  much  love  very  affectionately  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

The  pen  they  have  given  me  has  compelled  me  to 
reverse  my  writing. 

CII. 

(1897.) 

Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire, 
Paris,  12th  April. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I   still  keep  so  wonderfully  well  &  am  able 

to   be   out   of    doors   a   great   deal.       1    look    back   with 

amazement  now  at  my  little  tentative  walks  on  the  cliff  at 

Bournemouth. 

6  * 


84  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

I  spent  such  a  happy  half  hour  this  afternoon  at  S. 
Sulpice  (my  favourite  Church  in  Paris).  You  were 
recollected,  dear  *  *  *,  very  affectionately  in  my  poor 
prayers,  sadly  stumbling  &  imperfect  things  as  yet. 

S.  Theresa's  life  of  herself  is  indeed  a  brillant  work, 
I  had  not  the  faintest  idea  that  she  had  written  anything 
so  important ;  I  am  very  grateful  to  you  for  having  given 
me  her  works. 

Father  Ollivier  has  been  preaching  with  most  extra- 
ordinary success,  his  sermons  are  being  printed  as  they 
are  preached  &  are  being  sold  everywhere.  I  have  just 
bought  the  last  published  "  Sur  Tinfaillibilite  de  I'Eglise 
enseignante,"  I  wish  I  could  have  heard  him. 

The  weather  is  perfectly  good  natured,  but  not  splendid 
yet. 

Gbodbye  dear  *  *  * 
With  much  love 

Yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


cm. 


(1897.) 


Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire, 
Paris,  1 3th  April. 

My  dearest  Brother 

So  many  thanks  for   your  two  letters  just 
received. 

I  have   been  making  enquiries   about   rooms   at   some 
other  Hotel.     A  suite  of   two  bedrooms  with  Salon  is 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  85 

difficult  to  get  at  Hotels  without  lifts,  &  simply  ruinous 
at  Hotels  that  have  lifts.  About  40  frs.  to  50  frs.  a 
day  is  asked  even  at  moderate  places  for  the  rooms  we 
should  want.  Of  course  just  now  the  search  is  made 
more  difficult  by  the  approach  of  Easter.  At  the  Voltaire 
people  are  being  turned  away  all  day.  If  we  stay  where 
we  are  we  shall  come  into  our  right  rooms  tomorrow. 
I  find  that  the  bed  in  mine  is  walled — not  curtained  off — 
&  they  are  willing  to  make  for  me  any  arrangements  that 
will  add  to  the  comfort  of  the  room.  However  the  chief 
thing  in  favour  of  this  Hotel  is  the  fine  view  &  great  open 
space  in  front  of  it,  which  will  be  a  great  blessing  in 
the  warmer  weather.  The  service  here  is  good  &  the 
gar(^ons  are  most  willing  to  chair  me  upstairs  as  often 
as  I  want  to  mount.     Then  the  prices  are  moderate. 

Would  you  advise  me  to  stay,  anyway  till  holiday 
times  are  over. 

How  good  of  you  to  write  about  me  to  Huysmans, 
I  look  forward  to  meeting  him  immensely. 

Mother  went  round  for  me  this  morning  to  S.  Thomas 
d'Aquin,  to  enquire  for  some  one  who  would  look  after 
me  at  Easter.  L'Abb^  V.,  vicaire  de  S.  Thomas 
d'Aquin,  will  hear  my  confession  on  Easter  Sunday 
afternoon,  &  will  bring  me  the  Blessed  Sacrament  at  8 
o'clk.  on  Easter  Monday.  1  hear  that  my  Abbe  is  the 
most  charming  person  imaginable.  It  took  him  a  long 
time  to  be  able  to  grasp  the  fact  that  /  was  Catholique 
&  that  mother  was  not.      He  says  they  will  have  a  most 


86  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

wonderful  High  Mass  at  his  church  on  Easter  Sunday. 
By  the  way  S.  Thomas  d'Aquin  is  my  parish  church. 

The  weather  is  perfectly  lovely  here  today,  much  too 
hot  for  an  overcoat,  though  I've  worn  one  out  of  a  sense 
of  duty.  I  am  quite  another  creature  to  what  I  was  last 
week,  &  if  no  disasters  are  imminent  you  will  be  surprised 
at  my  improvement. 

I  have  just  picked  up  on  the  Quais  a  copy  of  Le 
Parfum  de  Rome.  The  book  &  print  shops  are  an  ever 
green  joy  to  me.  I  am  really  happy  in  Paris,  &  have 
never  loved  it  so  well  as  this  time.  Best  love  from  us  to 
all.     Goodbye  dear  *  *  *,  with  the  greatest  affection. 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CIV. 


(April,  1897.) 


Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire, 

Paris. 

Thursday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Forgive  my  writing  in  pencil  the  pens  at  the 
Cafe  de  la  Paix  are  quite  impossible.  Mrs.  I.  has  been 
lunching  with  us  today.  She  is  the  brightest  most  en- 
couraging person  imaginable,  &  has  been  lecturing  me 
about  diet.  Hot  water  &  rosbif  make  up  her  programme. 
I  know  she  is  right,  only  although  the  menu  seems  so 
simple,  it  is  a  difficult  one  really  to  put  into  practice.  I 
have  a  personal  experience  of  hot  water  &  know  what 
wonders  it  works. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  87 

I  am  sure  Rachilde's  Tuesdays  are  charming,  I  hope 
I  shall  make  my  bow  in  her  Salon  e'er  long. 

I  am  fairly  installed  in  my  new  room  now.  It  is  quite 
comfortable  &  has  a  spendid  view. 

If  I  only  continue  to  improve  as  I  have  been  doing  for 
the  last  few  days  I  shall  be  comparatively  strong  &  well, 
quite  soon. 

For  instance  today  I  have  walked  quite  easily  from 
Laperouse  (opposite  Notre  Dame)  to  the  Cafe  de  la 
Paix.  Then  I  eat  &  drink  more  than  double  what  I  did 
at  Bournemouth ;   &  also  sleep  perfectly. 

I  was  so  interested  in  what  you  wrote  about  S.  Thomas 
d'Aquin.  Will  you  pray  my  dear  *  *  *  that  he  may 
intercede  for  me? 

I  was  reading  his  life  in  Ribadaneyra  last  night.  Riba- 
daneyra  is  delightful,  he  doesn't  condescend  to  dates,  but 
considers  "once  upon  a  time"  quite  enough  for  the  en- 
quiring faithful. 

I  am  much  pleased  with  the  biography  of  S.  Francis 
Borgia.  We  get  very  cheerful  letters  from  M.  Of  course 
she  has  not  heard  yet  of  our  wondrous  move.  I  believe  I 
should  be  strong  enough  to  accompany  her  if  she  returned 
to  Mansfield  in  the  autumn.  I'm  sure  she  wont  go  back 
in  any  other  conditions. 

Goodbye  dear  *  *  *^  I  think  so  much  of  you  always  & 

everywhere. 

With  much  love 

Most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


88  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

CV. 

(May,  1897.) 

Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire, 

Paris. 

Monday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  felt  very  sad  when  you  left,  I  do  hope 
I  shall  soon   see  you  again,  &  wish  you   could  pay  us  a 

return  visit  to  Paris.      Dr. has  not  called  yet.     His 

medicines  seem  to  have  done  wonders.  I  had  a  horribly 
restless  &  wakeful  night,  &  this  morning  there  has  been  a 
very  slight  oozing  of  blood.  Of  course  I  am  staying  in  doors, 
&  do  not  expect  any  further  return  of  the  trouble.  Rachilde 
has  just  paid  me  a  charming  visit ;  she  came  to  carry  me  off 
to  a  show  of  Bouillon's  work  somewhere  in  the  Rue  Bona- 
parte. She  was  most  concerned  over  my  little  relapse. 
I  am  longing  to  hear  all  about  Touraine,  &  the  beauties  of 
Azay-le-Rideau,  Chenonceaux,  Chaumont,  etc.,  etc. 
I  am  dear  *  *  * 

With  much  love 

Yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CVI. 

(May,  1897.) 

Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire, 

Paris. 

Tuesday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  was  so  pleased  to  get  your  letter.  I  am 
quite  zcell  agmn  today  &  able  to  get  out.  I'm  sure  you 
are  going  to  have  the  most  delicious  time  in  Touraine. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  89 

The  flowering  shrubs  upon  the  banks  of  the  Loire  sound 
fragrant  &  tender.  I  wonder  if  you  will  discover  any 
ancient  hors  nature  who  have  returned  to  their  province 
&  become  honest  Tourangeaux? 

How  very  kind  of  Madame to  think  of  sending 

me  introductions  to  Roll  &  Henner  &  Eugene  Muntz. 
Of  course  I  shall  be  perfectly  delighted  to  have  them. 

I  mean  to  take  your  advice  about  meals.  I  believe  that 
eating  in  silence  &  alone  is  dreadfully  bad  for  the  digestion. 

Yesterday  I  felt  sadly  depressed  over  the  return  of 
bleeding  ;  I  beg  of  you  dear  *  *  *  to  help  me  with  your 
prayers  against  these  relapses,  &  also  that  I  may  be  wise 
enough  to  avoid  ridiculous  little  imprudences  that  may 
set  the  trouble  going. 

Goodbye,  dear  *  *  * 
With  much  love 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CVII. 

(May,  1897.) 

Hotel  Voltaire. 
Grand  Caf^  Restaurant 

de  la  Paix, 
5  Place  de  I'Opera, 
Paris. 

My  dearest  Brother 

The  lire  at  the  Charity  Bazaar  here  has 
caused,  you  can  imagine,  the  most  utter  consternation. 
Last  night  Cafes  &  Theatres  were  almost  empty. 


90  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

Everybody  has  lost  somebody, 

Blanche  writes  to  me  this  morning  that  several  of  his 
friends  -were  burned,  &  consequently  puts  me  off  a 
second  time  for  lunch. 

I  heard  the  news  of  the  disaster  first  at  Rachilde's 
whilst  the  fire  was  still  burning. 

I  am  going  to  D.  on  Friday  led  by  Miss  Fanny  & 
J.  de  T. 

By  the  way  M.  Davray  is  going  to  give  me  French 
lessons  every  day,  but  thereby  will  cut  away  my  last 
excuse  for  being  unable  to  speak  French. 

Mother  is  almost  quite  well  now  &  able  to  get  out. 

My  own  poor  health  has  suffered  no  further  shocks. 
I  make  a  point  of  eating  beef  at  every  meal. 

Ever  yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

I  suppose  Z.  knows  of  Callot's  singularly  interesting 
eau-forte  of  the  Martyrdom  of  St.  Sebastian,  There  is 
a  charming  soldier  in  the  background  picking  up  the 
arrows  that  have  missed  the  Saint, 

CVIII, 

(May,  1897,) 

Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire, 

Paris. 

Friday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

,   .   .   It  will  be  delightful  to  have  a  sight  of  you 
on  your  way  back,  &  I  hope  you  will  not  arrive  in  Paris 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  91 

too  late  for  a  meeting.  Octave  Uzanne  has  been  telling 
me  a  great  deal  about  Egypt  as  a  winter  home.  Luxor 
near  Cairoe  seems  to  be  capital  in  every  w^ay  &  quite 
cheap.  One  can  live  there  very  well  on  ten  shillings  a 
day.      Uzanne  will  give  me  some  addresses. 

I  am  reading  a  delicious  book  for  the  first  time,  "  The 
Thousand  &  one  nights,"  in  Galland's  translation.  I 
have  just  finished  the  cover  for  Ali  Baba,  quite  a 
sumptuous  design.^  .   .   . 

With  much  love 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

[CIX.] 

(7th  May,  1897.) 

Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire, 
Paris. 
Friday. 

My  dear  Z. 

I  don't  know  at  all  where  you  would  be 
likely  to  find  Callot's  S.  Sebastian.  Perhaps  Armand 
Durand  have  reproduced  his  etchings.  You  would 
certainly  be  very  interested  in  this  particular  one.  I  see 
that  a  Callot  has  been  brought  out  in  Leroi's  series  of 
Artistes  Celebres.  It  is  just  possible  you  would  find  the 
S-  Sebastian  in  it.  I  am  delighted  to  hear  we  shall  have 
a  chance  of  seeing  you  on  your  return  journey. 

Ever  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

'  Included  in  "  A  Second  Book  of  Fifty  Drawings  ". 


92  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

ex. 

(May,  1897.) 

Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire. 
Monday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

It  will  be  quite  charming  to  dine  with  you 
this  evening.  We  will  be  with  you  at  seven  o'clk.  I 
look  forward  much  to  hearing  of  your  adventures  at 
Langeais. 

With  much  love 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXI. 
(May,  1897.) 

Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire, 

Paris. 

Wednesday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

The  weather  here  is  being  too  unfriendly  for 
anything,  so  St.  Germain  has  not  yet  been  visited.  By 
the  way  dear  *  *  *  I  had  meant  to  ask  you  what  the 
formalities  are  in  the  presentation  of  a  letter  of  introduc- 
tion in  France.     I  do  wish  you  would  tell  me. 

I  am  buying  your  bonbons  to-day  &  tulips,  &  will 
have  them  conveyed  early  on  Friday  morning  to  Madame 
Vallette. 

Hello's    book    is   indeed    wonderfully    interesting,    so 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  93 

many  thanks   for  it.      I  continue  to   progress   favourably 
&  to  nurse  my  new  strength  with  extreme  care. 
With  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

[CXII.] 

(14th  May,  1897.) 

Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire, 

Paris. 

Thursday. 

My  dear  Z. 

This    is    a   cheap   reproduction   of    Callot's 
Saint  Sebastian ;   I  hope  it  may  be  of  some  use  to  you. 
Please  let  me  know  when  there  is  anything  I  can  do 
for  you  in  Paris. 

Ever  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CXIII. 


(May,  1897.) 


Hotel  Voltaire,  Quai  Voltaire, 

Paris. 

Saturday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  was  so  pleased  to  get  your  letter.  I  have 
just  had  an  amusing  note  from  Rachilde  thanking  rne  for 
the  bonbons.  I  have  explained  to  her  that  they  were 
your  sweets. 


94  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

To-day  is  delightfully  fine  &  has  been  spent  at  S. 
Germain.  I  am  quite  enchanted  with  the  place ;  the 
Bois  is  simply  Elysian,  We  found  rooms  at  an  hotel 
immediately,  &  our  address  on  &  after  next  Friday 
will  be  Pavillion  Louis  XIV,,  Rue  de  Pontoise,  S. 
Germain. 

You  cannot  imagine  how  pretty  the  Hotel  is,  &  with 
such  a  nice  garden.  We  are  the  first  arrivals  there  this 
season ;  in  fact  the  Hotel  is  not  yet  ready  to  receive  any 
one,  as  the  proprietors  have  only  just  closed  their  Hotel 
at  Nice.  The  Pavillion  opens  on  Thursday.  Our 
rooms  are  most  charming  &  cheap,  4  &  3  frs.  a  day 
respectively.  We  are  really  very  lucky  to  have  got 
them,  I  did  not  expect  to  find  anything  so  moderate 
at  S.  Germain.  The  Hotel  is  scarcely  fifty  yards  from 
the  Terrace  and  Park.  The  Church  of  S.  Germain 
promises  to  be  rather  sumptuous  6c  ornate  in  all  its 
doings.  It  is  not  a  minute's  walk  from  the  Hotel.  In- 
deed everything  one  could  possibly  want — including 
coiffeur — seems  to  be  in  or  near  the  Rue  de  Pontoise. 

There  is  an  ascenseur  (10  cent)  at  the  station. 

I  believe  the  air  of  S.  Germain  will  do  the  greatest 
wonders  for  me ;  it  is  deliciously  pure  &  fresh. 

You  see  my  dear  *  *  *  I  brim  over  with  gratitude. 
.  .  .  How  I  wish  you  could  spend  some  of  the  summer 
with  us.  You  will  find  perfectly  charming  accommoda- 
tion at  the  Pavillion  Louis  XIV. 

How  kind  of  le  Pere  Coube  to  come  &  see  us.     I 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  95 

expect  his  retreat  is  over  now.     I  look  forward  much  to 
having  a  sight  of  the  house  in  the  Rue  de  Sevres. 
Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey. 

CXIV. 
(May,  1897.) 

Hotel  du  Quai,  Voltaire, 

Paris. 

Thursday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Dr. finds  mother  less  well  today.   .   .   . 

The  doctor  will  let  her  know  tomorrow  what  her  chances 
are  of  joining  me  soon  at  St.  Germain. 

Le  Pere  Coube  has  just  paid  me  a  most  charming  visit, 
&  is  going  to  give  me  an  introduction  to  a  Jesuit  Father 
at  S,  Germain. 

With  much  love 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
CXV. 

(May,  1897.) 

Hotel  du  Quai,  Voltaire, 

Paris. 

Monday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

...   I  will  present  the  introductions  as  you 
direct. 

Please  forgive,  dear  *  *  *,  a  very  short  letter,  as  I  have 
not  yet  recovered  from  a  very  severe  attack  of  sickness  which 
overwhelmed  me  yesterday.     I  was  grateful  beyond  words 


96  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

that  the  retching  did  not  affect  my  lung.  I  expect  I  shall  be 
all  right  tomorrow.  It  is  so  vexing  to  be  unwell  during  my 
last  few  days  here,  especially  as  I  have  breakfasts  to  turn 
up  at  every  day  till  Friday.     The  weather  improves  hourly. 

It  will  be  very  kind  of  M.  M.  to  call  on  me.  1  shall 
be  very  pleased  to  see  him.  If  I  am  at  St.  Germain  I 
hope  he  will  find  time  to  come  over. 

I  was  very  interested  to  hear  that  you  have  become  a 
Litde  Oratorian.  Does  not  your  confraternity  have  its 
services  in  that  pretty  chapel  across  the  Oratory  garden  ? 

Mother  continues  to  be  rather  unwell  I  am  sorry  to  say. 
I  feel  so  uneasy  about  her.     For  the  moment  she  is  not 
allowed  to  take  any  food ;  only  milk  &  Vichy  water. 
With  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CXVI. 
(May,  1897.) 


Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

Rue  de  Pontoise, 
St.  Germain  en  Laye. 


My  DEAREST  Brother 

I  have  arrived  here  quite  well  &  safely. 
Mother  (who  is  a  little  better  today)  will  join  me  in  a  few 
days.  I  am  quite  delighted  with  the  new  place  &  feel 
better  already.  The  cooking  is  good.  Such  nice  coffee. 
I  am  sorry  to  say  I  was  robbed  of  a  note  for  1 00  frs.  just 
before  I  left.  I  was  so  wretched  about  it,  not  on  account 
of  the  loss.   ...   I  am  almost  certain  I  know  who  took  it. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  97 

However  my  sorrow  was  dispelled  by  a  very  pleasant 
lunch  with  Octave  Uzanne,  &  above  all  by  a  visit  to  the 
Jesuit's  house  in  the  Rue  de  Sevres.  Father  Coube 
showed  me  the  drawings  of  Jerusalem,  Athens  &  Ca[r]th- 
age.  Rome  was  absent.  They  are  wonderful  drawings, 
&  delightfully  unpedantic.  I  took  the  opportunity  of 
making  my  confession  to  the  dear  Father. 

I  was  surprised  to  find  they  had  such  a  large  church 
attached  to  the  house. 

My  sickness  began  in  the  train  coming  back  from  S. 
Germain  last  Saturday.  It  was  such  a  hot  afternoon,  & 
nowadays  I  become  dreadfully  sea-sick  en  chemin-de-fer. 

I  have  never  heard  Berlioz'  Harold.  In  fact  I  know 
very  little  of  his  (Berlioz')  music.  Mottl's  concert  must 
have  been  a  great  treat,  &  it  was  a  great  chance  to  hear 
the  whole  of  Harold. 

I  shall  present  my  introductions  here  the  first  thing  next 
week.     I  am  truly  grateful  to  have  them. 
With  much  love  to  all 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CXVII. 
(May,  1897.) 


Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Geimain. 

Friday. 


My  dearest  Brother 

Father   Henry  came  to   see  us  on  the  eve 
of  Ascension.      He  is  going  to  make  me  known  to  the 


98  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

aumonier  of  the  Pensionnat  of  S.  Thomas  here,  who  will 
bring  me  the  Blessed  Sacrament  whenever  I  communicate. 
The  Pensionnat  has  a  charming  chapel  attached  to  it  where 
the  mass  is  sung  by  the  pensionnaires.  Fr.  Henry  is  their 
confessor.  I  was  surprised  when  he  told  me  that  the 
Jesuits  had  three  houses  in  Paris  besides  the  one  in  the 
Rue  de  Sevres.  Their  house  here  is  the  maison  de 
campagne  for  the  Fathers  of  the  Rue  Madame.  I  am 
going  to  see  it  some  day  next  week. 

Monsieur  Bertrand  has  been  to  see  us  &  has  sent  me 
a  permission  to  work  at  the  Chateau  valable  for  one  year. 
He  is  such  a  charming  old  gentleman.  I  have  been  rather 
nervous  &  worried  lately,  living  on  thorns,  but  have  made 
valiant  attempts  to  get  good  out  of  S.  Germain. 
I  am  with  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXVIII. 
(May,  1897.) 

Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

Rue  de  Pontoise, 

S.  Germain. 

My  dearest  Brother 

.  .  .  This  morning  I  was  in  time  for  a  9  o'clk. 
mass  at  S.  Germain.  It  is  such  a  nice  church,  &  I  see 
from  one  of  the  confessional  boxes  that  a  Jesuit  Father 
hears  confessions  every  Saturday  there. 

The  little  town  here  is  too  sweet  for  words ;   so  many 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  99 

charming  old  hotels  with  tablets  on  their  gateways 
naming  the  great  people  who  used  to  live  there.  There 
is  a  delightfully  romantic  one  in  the  next  street  ; 
"  Ancienne  Residence  des  Cardinaux  Barberini  et  Letel- 
lier  ".  I  find  it  great  rest  to  be  in  such  a  small  town, 
everything  is  so  beautifully  near  to  one ;  we  have  a 
choice  of  five  or  six  places  to  feed  at  within  a  stone's 
throw  of  each  other. 

With  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CXIX. 
(May,  1897.) 


Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain. 

Wednesday. 


My  dearest  Brother 

I  have  had  no  return  of  haemmorhage  today, 
&  have  been  able  to  get  out  for  a  walk  in  the  forest. 
Madame  B.  has  just  been  telling  us  what  a  good  doctor 
M.  L.  is.  I  expect  I  shall  have  to  pay  him  a  visit  soon 
to  get  my  wretched  tongue  cauterised.  I  believe  the 
operation  is  however  perfectly  painless. 

Quite  amusing  people  are   beginning  to  arrive  in  S. 
Germain  &  in  the  Pavillion  Louis  XIV. 

By  the  way  is  Lecoffre  of  Rue  Bonaparte  a  publisher 
&  seller  of  religious  books? 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
7  * 


100  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

-      [CXX.] 


(25th  May,  1897.) 


Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

Rue  de  Pontoise, 

S.  Germain. 


My  dear  Z. 

S.  Germain  is  resting  me  beautifully,  it  is 
such  a  blessing  to  have  no  distance  to  cover.  My  sick- 
ness upset  me  horribly,  &  I  am  only  quite  w^ell  again  today, 
the  recovery  being  helped  greatly  by  the  excellence  of  the 
food  here.  The  cooking  by  the  way  is  rather  expensive. 
I  am  surprised  to  hear  that  the  Venus  between  Terminal 
Gods  is  for  sale  in  the  Royal  Arcade.  I  did  not  know 
that  Smithers  had  it. 

All  that  I  have  yet  seen  from  S.  Germain,  of  Paris,  is 
the  Eiffel  Tower  &  the  Sacre  Cceur  ;  all  between  the  two 
is  lost  in  smoke  or  something.  There  is  a  charming  fair 
going  forward  just  outside  our  forest,  such  pretty  threatres 
for  Guignol  &  all  sorts  of  fantoccini  under  the  trees. 

Ever  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CXXI. 

(May,  1897.) 


Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

Rue  de  Pontoise, 

S.  Germain. 

Tuesday. 


My  dearest  Brother 

I  have  recovered  thoroughly  today  from  my 
httle  trouble.     The  "  terrace  "  is  going  to  do  great  things 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  101 

for  me.  This  afternoon  the  creaking  In  my  lung  has  left 
me  owing  to  several  hours  spent  in  the  open.  The 
weather  is  warm  enough  now  to  let  me  sit  down  out  of 
doors  so  I  am  able  to  prolong  my  outings  Indefinitely. 
Father  Henry  is  the  name  of  the  Jesuit  Priest  here,  he 
is  a  dear  cheerful  old  man,  &  the  most  friendly  person 
imaginable.  Father  Coube  most  kindly  wrote  to  him 
about  me,  so  we  had  the  pleasure  of  a  visit  from  him 
soon  after  we  had  arrived. 

He  asked  me  if  I  had  completed  my  military  service 
yet  in  England,  &  I  felt  quite  ashamed  to  confess  that  we 
were  not  expected  ever  to  do  anything  at  all  for  our 
country. 

With  much  love 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CXXII. 


(1897.) 


Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain,  3 1st  May. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  have  put  myself  into  the  hands  of  a  doctor 
here,  of  whom  I  have  been  hearing  great  things.  He  is 
a  Dr.  L.  &  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  most  learned  &  skillful 
doctors  in  France. 

A  painful  ulcer  on  my  tongue  suggested  the  visit,  & 
naturally  1  took  the  opportunity  of  having  so  valuable  an 
opinion,  on  my  more  serious  trouble,   at  the  same  time. 


102  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

He  says  that  with  care  there  is  not  the  faintest  doubt 
of  my  entire  recovery.  He  raised  his  hands  in  horror 
when  he  was  told  that  I  had  spent  a  year  at  Bournemouth, 
Nothing  he  exclaimed  could  have  been  much  worse  for 
my  case,  unless  it  had  been  the  South  of  France. 

Mountain  air  is  apparently  what  I  require.  He  spoke 
very  hopefully  of  my  chances  here,  &  told  me  of  a 
number  [of]  cures  effected  by  Forest  air.  The  terrace 
he  will  not  allow  me  to  approach.  He  has  ordered  me 
to  get  up  every  morning  at  4  o'cl.  &  take  two  hours 
airing  in  the  Bois,  then  to  come  home,  rest  &  sleep ;  & 
continue  the  promenades  at  my  pleasure  during  the  day. 
I  am  never  to  be  out  after  5  o'clk.  &  am  to  retire  to  bed 
early  in  the  evening.  1  begin  the  treatment  tomorrow. 
Dr.  L.  inspires  the  greatest  confidence  in  me.  He  made 
a  very  thorough  examination  of  my  lungs.  I  certainly 
must  have  made  great  advances  since  I  left  England 
judging  from  the  sounds  his  percussion  produced. 
With  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXXIII. 
(1897.) 

(In  pencil.) 

Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain,  1st  June. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I   had   this   morning    such   a   bad   attack  of 
blood  spitting.      I  had  really  hoped  with  all  the  care  I 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  103 

have  been  taking  lately  that  the  trouble  might  have  been 
averted.  Still  I  was  not  entirely  surprised  at  the  haem- 
morhage  as  my  lungs  have  suffered  a  great  deal  from 
ominous  crepitations  the  last  two  weeks.  The  bleeding 
has  stopped  this  afternoon.  Of  course  I  feel  perfectly 
wretched.  .  .   . 

With  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CXXIV. 
(June,  1897.) 

Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain. 

Friday. 

iMy  dearest  Brother 

M.'s  arrival  this  morning  was  such  a  great 
surprise  &  such  a  great  pleasure  for  me.  I  think  she 
looks  wonderfully  well  considering  all  her  voyaging  ;  & 
not  changed  at  all  since  I  saw  her  last.  Only  occasional 
touches  of  an  accent  which  I  am  sure  she  has  acquired 
sijice  she  left  America. 

I  hear  you  have  Father  G.  staying  with  you.  Your 
visit  to  the  New  Gallery  must  have  been  most  charming 
&  instructive.  It  was  a  delightful  idea  of  Master  Oswald 
to  head  his  list  of  wants  with  the  Ignatian  motto.      How 

does  he  prosper  at   St. ,  he  is  becoming  I   suppose 

quite  a  latinist. 


104  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

I  am  quite  recovered  from  my  attack,   &  really  feel 
better  now  than  I  did  before  it  occured.     I  was  living 
rather  in  dread  of  it  for  the  last  two  or  three  weeks. 
Yours  with  much  love 
Very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

cxxv. 

Gune,  1897.) 

Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain. 

Sunday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  wish  I  always  felt  as  well  as  I  do  today. 
M.  is  quite  amazed  at  my  improvement.  Dr.  L.  came 
to  see  me  yesterday  &  found  my  tongue  much  better,  so 
the  painless  operation  is  not  to  be  performed.  He  says 
my  crachement  has  relieved  me  very  much  &  he  was 
most  pleased  with  my  general  condition.  Father  Henry 
had  just  been  to  confess  me,  &  had  been  so  kind  & 
encouraging,  so  I  had  two  different  causes  to  make  me 
full  of  hope  &  gratitude. 

This  morning  I  communicated  with  M.  at  the  Chapelle 
of  the  Pensionnat  S.  Thomas.  It  is  such  a  dear  little 
church,  &  the  Mass  was  sung  by  the  Pensionnaires  really 
very  well.  The  sisters  are  quite  charming  &  looked 
after  us  so  kindly.  You  can  imagine  how  happy  the 
service  made  both  of  us.  I  shall  always  attend  S. 
Thomas'  Chapel  in  future.  The  aumonier  seems  very 
nice,  I  believe  he  is  coming  to  see  us.     He  preached  a 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  105 

short  sermon  this  morning  with  a  great  deal  of  style  & 
unction. 

Whitsunday  has  filled  the  garden  here  with  break- 
fasters,  &  the  place  looked  so  gay  &  pretty,  the  weather 
being  quite  adorable,  I  hardly  ever  go  into  the  town 
but  spend  my  time  under  the  alleys,  &  amongst  the  rose 
trees  of  the  Pavillion,  It's  so  jolly  having  M.  here. 
She  has  made  great  friends  with  the  dear  Pere  Henry. 
With  much  love 

Yours  always  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXXVI. 
Gune,  1897.) 

Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain. 

Friday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  am  just  going  to  begin  "  Evan  Harrington  " 
&  expect  a  great  treat.  Do  you  know  the  Mercure  is 
going  to  publish  a  thing  of  Merediths — the  Essay  on 
Comedy — translated  by  Davray,  who  is  meditating  also  a 
version  of  one  of  the  novels. 

I  shall  look  forward  very  much  to  Z.'s  story  in  the 
Revue  Blanche.  The  weather  is  rather  cold  here  just 
now,  still  I  have  not  suffered,  &  am  able  to  be  out  of 
doors  quite  a  lot. 

I  am  with  much  love 

Always  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


106  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

ECXXVII.] 
(1897.) 

Pavilion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain,  12th  June. 

My  dear  Z. 

1  have  found  that  I  sleep  better  between  four 
&  six  in  the  morning  than  at  any  other  time,  so  I  have 
had  to  rearrange  doctor  L.'s  programme.  I  found  that 
rumours  of  my  early  walks  had  reached  my  barber  this 
morning,  &  all  present — including  M.  Bertrand,  con- 
gratulated me  warmly  on  having  staid  in  bed.  Doctor 
L.  however,  declares  that  my  room  is  quite  near  enough 
to  the  forest  to  allow  opened  window  to  give  me  all  the 
morning  air  I  need. 

When  does  the  story  appear  in  the  Revue  Blanche? 
I  look  forward  to  it  with  the  greatest  interest  &  am  so 
curious  to  know  what  you  have  written  that  is  going  to 
shock  me.  Of  course  I  should  like,  more  than  I  can  say, 
to  do  something  for  your  conte,  if  you  will  allow  me. 

Paris  is  taking  a  long  time  to  find  its  way  to  S. 
Germain,  which  leaves  me  the  garden  &  sitting  room  to 
myself. 

The  forest  too  is  quite  my  private  territory. 

So  many  thanks  for  your  letter,  with  best  love 

Ever  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


(1897.) 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  107 

CXXVIII. 


Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain,  13th  June. 


My  dearest  Brother 

This  morning  I  was  at  the  dear  chapel  of  S. 
Thomas,  &  after  I  spent  a  pleasant  retreat  in  the  Forest. 
I  hear  that  somewhere  amongst  the  trees  is  the  shrine  of 
Notre  Dame  des  Anglais.  I  mean  to  make  a  pilgrimage 
to  it  tomorrow. 

Dr.  L.  came  to  see  me  yesterday  &  was  most  en- 
couraging. He  says  my  improvement  in  the  week  past  is 
wonderful.  My  silly  tongue  however  progresses  not  so 
well.  I  dread  having  it  cauterised  as  that  will  put  me 
upon  uninteresting  food  for  several  days. 

Father  Henry  paid  us  a  little  visit  the  same  afternoon 
&  gave  us  such  an  amusing  account  of  the  last  suppression 
of  the  order  in  France,  &  the  ruses  to  which  they  had 
recourse  to  keep  themselves  together.  The  dear  Father 
seems  to  have  been  very  hospitable  just  then,  &  to  have 
invited  whole  houses  of  Jesuits  to  his  bed  &  board  as 
"  friends  ". 

With  much  love 

ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


108  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

CXXIX. 

(1897.) 

Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

Rue  de  Pontoise, 

S.  Germain, 

16th  June. 

My  dearest  Brother 

...  A  penitent  of  one  of  the  Oratorians  (Fr. 
P.)  is  staying  here  just  now.  The  Penitent  is  a  Spaniard 
&  speaks  with  great  enthusiasm  of  the  CathoHc  Churches 
in  London. 

I  am  finding  the  forest  a  splendid  umbrella  in  this  hot 
weather.  The  page  boy  here  carries  my  chair  to  some 
charming  shady  spot  every  morning  &  calls  for  me  again 
at  lunch  time.  Every  one  in  the  hotel  notices  how  much 
I  have  improved  in  the  last  few  days.  The  B.'s  I  am 
sure  look  upon  me  as  an  utter  fraud.  How  amusing  the 
Fisher  concert  must  have  been ;  &  Mrs.  Bernard  Beere 
reciting  the  Portrait  I 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

cxxx. 

(1897.) 

Pavillion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain,  18th  June. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Such  an  unpleasant  change  in  the  weather. 
I  wander  about  the  house  all  day  in  an  overcoat  &  still 
know  that  it  is  cold. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  109 

Were  you  at  the  Oratory  yesterday  ?  Do  they  not  have 
a  very  beautiful  service  in  their  garden  for  Corpus  Christi  ? 

I  have  just  taken  my  first  lesson  in  German,  &  have 
mastered  with  great  difficulty  &  repugnance  the  w^ritten 
German  character. 

The  Professor  is  a  recommendation  of  Mme.  B.  & 
comes  three  times  a  week  for  an  hour.  I  long  to  struggle 
through  a  book,  &  have  ordered  a  Werther  in  German 
&  French.   .   .   . 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXXXI. 

(1897.) 

Pavilion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain,  19th  June. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  hope  this  will  reach  you  on  the  morning  of 
the  Feast  of  S.  Aloysius,  &  I  pray  of  you  to  remember 
me  in  your  devotions  to  him. 

Thank  you  so  much  for  your  kind  letter.  These  fearful 
outbursts  of  bad  weather  have  tired  me  very  much ;  still 
I  am  well  enough  to  have  surprised  Pere  Henry  who  has 
just  been  to  see  me,  &  who  expected  to  find  me  seriously 
unwell  after  these  violent  storms. 

We  don't  know  of  any  English  people  at  S.  Germain. 
Dr.  L.  says  that  there  used  to  be  quite  a  large  English 
colony  here,  but  that  it  has  now  quite  disappeared. 

Paris  sends  me  friends  occasionally.      On  Thursday  an 


no  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

introduction  of  Will  Rothenstein's  lunched  with  us.  He 
turned  out  to  be  pleasant  &  amusing ;  I  wished  he  had 
been  staying  longer  here.  One  certainly  does  feel  rather 
isolated  sometimes. 

I  find  it  very  difficult  to  get  books  here,  &  one  is  not 
always  able  to  give  a  sufficiently  exact  description  of  a 
book  to  write  to  Paris  booksellers  for  it.  I  should  be 
very  grateful  to  you  dear  *  *  *  if  you  could  tell  me  of 
some  good  life  or  study  of  S.  Mary  Magdalen. 

Le  Pere  Henry  has  just  spoken  to  me  of  one  by 
Lacordaire,  but  does  not  know  where  I  could  get  it. 
On  Sunday  the  dear  Father  takes  me  to  the  Chapel  of 
the  Carmelite  Convent,  &  will  find  for  me  some  special 
prayers  to  S.  M.  M.  You  know  the  Carmelites  have 
a  great  devotion  for  her. 

With  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXXXII. 
(June.  1897.) 

Pavilion  Louis  XIV., 
S.  Germain,  24th. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Mother  has  been  wanting  to  write  to  Dr.  P. 
for  some  time  to  ask  him  one  or  two  questions  about  me, 
but  I  would  not  let  her  as  I  felt  shy  about  worrying  him. 
Also  the  very  uncertain  &  variable  condition  of  my  health 
lately  would  make  any  report  rather  misleading.     How- 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  1 1 1 

ever  it  is  most  kind  of  you  to  suggest  a  letter  to  Dr.  P., 
&  we  shall  both  feel  it  a  great  privilege  to  have  his  most 
valuable  advice. 

After  all  Pere  Henry  w^as  able  to  find  me  two  or  three 
very  interesting  Hves  of  S.  Mary  Magdalen,  one,  rather 
short,  by  Lacordaire,  another  quite  a  big  volume  by  the 
Jesuit  Father  Valmy.  The  Carmelite  devotions  I  have 
not  yet  as  they  only  exist  here  in  handwriting. 

A  spell  of  such  hot  weather  as  we  are  having  now 
should  really  nurse  me  into  something  less  feeble  &  use- 
less ;  anyhow  fill  me  up  a  little. 

How  splendid  the  Nuntio's  Mass  must  have  [been]. 
I  saw  that  Cardinal  Vaughan  was  holding  a  reception. 
A  great  gathering  I  suppose  of  notable  Catholics. 

Good-bye  dear  *  *  * 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXXXIII. 
(1897.) 

Pavilion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain,  30th  June. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  had  a  letter  from  M.  M.  the  other  day 
telling  me  that  he  &  his  mother  were  staying  in  Paris. 
They  will  be  lunching  with  us  tomorrow  &  I  look  forward 
very  much  to  their  visit.  The  great  heat  here  has  turned 
to  storms.  Last  night  we  had  a  succession  of  them.  My 
nights  trouble  me  dreadfully  nowadays. 


1 1 2  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

The  German  goes  on  slowly.  The  grammar  is  quite 
inaccessible,  however  I  begin  to  read  a  little. 

Carmel  has  sent  me  some  beautiful  devotions  through 
le  Pere  Henry,  who  comes  in  often  to  see  me  &  cheers 
me  so  much. 

With  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXXXIV. 
(1897.) 

Pavilion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain,  SOth  June. 

My  dearest  Brother 

A  line  in  haste.  I  cannot  help  feeling  that 
a  letter  of  mother's  to  Dr.  P.  &  one  of  mine  to  yourself 
(posted  on  Thursday  evening)  have  miscarried  in  the  post. 
M.  wires  to  us  this  afternoon  that  Dr.  P.  has  not  re- 
ceived his.  It  would  be  so  good  of  you  dear  *  *  *  to 
wire  if  there  has  been  any  mistake. 

Very  affectionately  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


cxxxv. 


(1897.) 


Pavilion  Louis  XiV., 

S.  Germain,  2nd  July. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  will  take  Dr. 's  advice  at  once.     This 

afternoon  we  go  into  Paris,  &  tomorrow  morning  will  see 
Dr. .     I  feel  nervous  about  making  the  journey  twice  in 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  1 1 3 

one  day.  I  will  let  you  know  what  he  says  at  once.  Your 
idea  of  a  little  change  at  the  sea  is  quite  charming.  I  seem  to 
feel  the  want  of  a  bracing  air.  What  a  nuisance  about  Dr.  P. 
I  was  quite  upset  about  it.  Mother  wrote  again  yesterday, 
&  I  pray  that  the  postal  fates  have  been  more  kind  this  time. 

How  interesting  your  day  must  have  been  at  Netley ; 
I  never  imagined  that  it  was  near  Southampton.  Surely 
you  must  have  been  dreadfully  tired. 

After  all  the  Ms.  could  not  lunch  on  Wednesday. 
We  may  see  them  this  afternoon.  Mrs.  M.  wrote  to  me 
that  they  thought  of  spending  a  few  days  here  next  week, 
&  I  am  hoping  that  they  will  stop  at  this  Pavilion. 

Yesterday  I  saw  le  Pere  Coube.  He  is  going  to  send  me  a 
copy  of  one  of  his  sermons.      He  asked  much  after  you.  .  .  . 

How  good  you  are  to  me  dear  *  *  *,  a  brother  in  fact 
out  of  a  fairy  tale.      1  really  feel  more  anxious  to  get  well 
for  your  sake  than  for  my  own. 
Good  bye 

With  very  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXXXVl. 
(1897.) 

Pavilion  Louis  XIV., 

S.  Germain,  6th  July. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Mother  saw  Dr. again  on  Sunday,  & 

he  reassured  her  once  more  as  to  my  chances  of  improve- 

8 


1 1 4  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

ment  in  good  climates.  As  to  our  imminent  move  he 
gave  us  a  great  choice  of  places.  Havre,  Trouville  & 
Dieppe  seemed  to  be  the  most  suitable.  There  is  some- 
thing in  favour  of  each. 

On  the  whole  perhaps  Dieppe  would  be  the  wisest 
choice,  as  it  is  not  too  fashionable,  &  I  know  from  ex- 
perience that  it  is  amusing  &  inexpensive.  I  am  a 
little  frightened  of  Trouville. 

The  Ms.  come  to  stay  here  on  Wednesday. 
With  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXXXVII. 
(1897.) 

Normandy  Hotel, 
Paris,  4th  July.  1897. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Dr. has  just  been  to   see  me  &  has 

made  a  very  prolonged  examination  of  my  lungs.  He 
finds  the  right  in  very  fair  working  order,  but  the  left  has 
consolidated  generally.  He  took  much  the  same  view  of 
my  case  as  Dr.  P.,  but  of  course  as  this  is  the  first  time 
he  has  seen  me  he  could  not  tell  me  whether  I  am  better 
or  worse  than  I  was  when  I  first  came  to  France.  As 
we  thought  my  liver  has  been  a  great  deal  the  cause  of 
my  weakness  &  depression.      It  is  considerably  enlarged. 

Dr. thinks  that  I  should  be  in  a  more  bracing  air  so 

that  I  could  take  plenty  of  exercise,  without  being  fatigued, 
&  suggests  Trouville  as  being  the  nearest  &  best  place 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  1 1 5 

for  the  purpose.  We  had  suggested  Boulogne  but  he 
thought  it  unsuitable,  &  with  regard  to  Dinard  &  places 
in  that  part  of  the  coast  he  said  they  would  be  too  ex- 
posed for  me.  We  discussed  a  little  about  winter 
resorts.  He  does  not  advise  mountain  districts,  but 
says  that  Egypt  could  not  fail  to  be  of  the  very  greatest 
advantage  to  me.  What  do  you  think  of  Trouville  ?  I 
see  it  is  near  Havre,  &  I  have  just  got  a  litde  guide  book 
which  tells  me  that  we  shall  be  able  to  find  moderate 
hotels. 

Yesterday  we  went  to  see  the  Ms.  They  are  such 
charming  people.  They  are  coming  to  see  us  today  & 
will  perhaps  go  back  to  S.  Germain  with  us  tomorrow. 
I  think  they  are  coming  to  spend  a  few  days  at  the  Pavil- 
ion Louis  XIV.  I  shall  be  so  glad  to  see  more  of 
Master  M.  M.  I  suppose  you  know  that  Mrs.  M.  is  also 
a  Catholic.  1  assisted  at  a  very  beautifully  sung  Mass  at 
S.  Roch  this  morning. 

With  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CXXXVIII. 
(1897.) 


Holel  Sandwich, 

Rue  Halle  au  Ble. 

Dieppe,  I2lh  July. 


My  DEAREST  Brother 

We  had  such  dreadful  difficulty  in  coming 

here  by  the  train  of  our  choice.      We  had  chosen  the  1 0 

8  * 


1 1 6  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

o'clk.  from  S.  Lazare,  but  had  no  sooner  put  our  hand 
bags  in  our  carriage  than  we  were  told  by  the  Chef  de 
la  Gare  that  we  could  not  possibly  be  allowed  to  travel 
by  that  train  as  we  were  not  going  to  London.  It  was 
only  about  a  minute  before  the  train  started  that  we  pre- 
vailed on  the  authorities  to  break  the  rule  in  our  favour. 
Even  then  we  had  to  leave  all  the  serious  luggage  behind 
us  at  Paris  to  be  sent  on  by  a  later  train. 

There  was  quite  a  scene  about  it  all,  but  as  the  next 
trains  to  Dieppe  took  nearly  seven  hours  to  arrive  we 
stuck  to  our  decision  with  overwhelming  obstinacy.  I 
stood  the  journey  wonderfully  well.  I  am  so  thankful 
that  we  found  splendid  weather  here  to  greet  us.  To- 
day again  the  sun  is  all  powerful  &  there  is  such  a  lovely 
fresh  breeze. 

The  Ms.  came  down  to  S.  Germain  on  Wednesday. 
They  were  enchanted  with  the  place  &  will  be  staying 
there  some  little  time.  It  was  so  pleasant  for  us  to  have 
them  staying  at  our  Pavillion.  They  are  such  charming 
people.  I  was  very  glad  to  see  more  of  M.  M.,  he  is  a 
really  nice  fellow. 

I    am    looking    rather    ill    nowadays,    but    am   feeling 
rather  better  just  now  than  I  have  been  for  some  time. 
With  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  1 1 7 

CXXXIX. 


Guly.  1897.) 


Hotel  Sandwich, 

Rue  Halle  au  Ble, 

Dieppe. 


My  dearest  Brother 

I  hurried  away  from  Paris  this  time  as  the 
weather  was  so  hot  &  oppressive.  Here  we  are  having 
splendid  luck,  gentle  winds  and  a  constant  sun.  I  get 
out  about  half  past  eight  &  have  my  little  breakfast  at  the 
Cafe.  It  is  such  a  luxury  to  get  the  morning  air,  &  quite 
a  new  one  for  me  nowadays.  In  the  afternoon  I  stay  at 
home,  &  read  &  write  &  rest.  My  room  here  is  really 
a  fine  one,  the  largest  I  think  I  have  ever  slept  in,  &  it 
makes  also  a  very  pleasant  sitting  room.  I  find  myself 
leading  almost  precisely  the  same  life  as  I  did  here  two 
years  back,  doing  the  same  things  at  the  same  times ;  so 
the  past  keeps  me  a  sort  of  cheerful  company. 

Dear  old  Father !     I  know  he  is  amusing.      Mrs. 

D.  had  a  great  deal  to  tell  me  about  him. 

I  and  Mother  were  so  grieved  to  say  goodbye  to 
Pere  Henri.  You  can't  think  how  perfectly  sweet  & 
kind  he  was  all  the  time  we  were  at  S.   Germain. 

T.'s  attempted  suicide  must  make  a  stirring  group.' 
With  much  love 

Always  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

I  wonder  if  you  could  tell  me  where  I  could  find  some 
good  study  of  Wolfram  von  Eschenbach's  work. 

'  An  episode  in  a  play. 


1 1 8  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

CXL. 

Guly.  1897.) 

Hotel  Sandwich, 

Dieppe. 

Wednesday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

The  wire  to  the  Normandy  never  reached 
us,  as  we  were  staying  at  the  Terminus  Hotel  (on 
account  of  its  nearness  to  S.  Lazare). 

The  weather  seems  to  set  fair  here,  &  I  ought  to 
prosper.  I  am  beginning  to  take  a  tonic  Dr.  P.  has 
prescribed,  and  I  am  sure  it  is  going  to  do  me  [a]  great 
deal  of  good.  I  am  so  grateful  for  his  advice,  and  the 
wonderfully  kind  interest  he  has  taken  in  my  case. 

The  Proprietress  has  just  been  up  to  ask  Mother  to 
decipher  a  letter  in  English  which  the  old  lady  supposed 
must  be  an  enquiry  for  rooms  at  the  Hotel.  We  were 
amused  to  find  that  the  letter  was  one  of  M.'s  for  us, 
but  oddly  enough  the  name  on  the  envelope  spelt 
"  Windling  "  quite  as  well  as  "Beardsley".  Our  land- 
lady has  left  the  letter  with  us,  with  apologies  for  having 
opened  it,  but  with  ill  disguised  doubts  as  to  our  right 
to  possess  it.   .   .  . 

Always  your  very  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  119 

CXLI. 
(July.  1897.) 

Hotel  Sandwich, 
Dieppe. 
Monday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  received  your  very  kind  &  sympathetic 
letter  yesterday,  &  had  begun  to  acknowledge  it  im- 
mediately, when  I  was  carried  off  by  a  sudden  invitation 
to  the  Saint  Saens  Festival  here  &  a  dinner  at  Fritz 
Thaulows,   so  had  not  a  moment.   .   .   . 

I  dare  not  say  much  of  my  improvement  in  health  at 
Dieppe,  for  my  returns  to  strength,  alas,  seem  too  often 
to  be  only  the  preludes  to  fresh  troubles.  Still  last  night 
I  could  not  help  being  hopeful  as  well  as  grateful  for  the 
really  wonderful  way  in  which  I  had  borne  a  very  tiring 
day  that  might  well  have  fatigued  much  stronger  people 
than  myself.  It  was  past  eleven  when  I  left  Thaulow's. 
I  came  home  on  foot  (about  10  minutes  walk)  &  after- 
wards slept  soundly  &  without  any  discomfort.  Today 
too  I  am  feeling  well. 

Father  Henry  anticipated  that  I  might  find  some  diffi- 
culty in  choosing  a  director  here,  &  gave  me  a  word  of 
warning  at  the  same  time.  Jesuits  come  here  occasion- 
ally to  preach  but  there  are  none  in  residence.  The 
other  orders  are  also  unrepresented.  For  the  moment 
I'Abbe  — —  of  S.  Remy  will  be  the  successor  of  the 
good  Fere  Henry. 

in  a  week  or  ten  days  I  am  going  to  visit  a  scholastic 


120  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

house  near  Dieppe,  the  aumonier  of  which  I  have  heard 
is  a  most  saintly  &  beautiful  character.  The  school 
is  kept  by  a  layman  to  whom  I  am  to  have  an  introduc- 
tion quite  soon.  From  all  I  have  been  told  I  hope  to  find 
at  the  "  school "  some  very  sympathetic  friends,  a  devout 
counsellor,  &  a  place  of  retreat.  I  will  tell  you  a  lot 
more  about  this  soon. 

The  constant  presence  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament  in 
the  church  is  indeed  the  greatest  of  all  privileges,  & 
even  the  least  advanced  in  the  spiritual  life  find  in  their 
devotions  before  the  Blessed  Sacrament  an  extraordinary 
joy  &  comfort. 

Good  bye  dear  *  *  *,  &  with  the  greatest  love. 
Yours  always  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXLII. 
(1897.) 

Hotel  Sandwich, 
Dieppe,  22nd  July. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  was  so  delighted  to  hear  from  M.  this 
morning  that  all  has  gone  very  well  with  her  at  the 
Criterion.  I  do  hope  that  the  piece  will  have  a  good 
run,   .   .   . 

I  am  grateful  to  say  that  I  still  walk  &  sleep  very  well 
&  am  beginning  to  eat  better.  The  weather  has  not 
been  however  lately  all  that  is  best  for  me.  I  think  I  am 
likely  to  be  alone  here  for  a  few  days  as  Mother   may 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  121 

have  to  pay  a  visit  to  England.  .  .  .  P^re  Henry  wrote 
to  us  today,  he  w^as  w^ondering  what  had  become  of  the 
Ms.,  I  suppose  they  left  S.  Germain  almost  immediately 
after  us. 

With  much  love 

Ever  your  very  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley.  .  .  . 


CXLIII. 


(1897.) 


Hotel  Sandwich, 
Dieppe,  July  26th. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Mother  will  not  be  leaving  me  unless  the 
call  to  Brighton  is  very  urgent.  Of  course  I  should  be 
a  little  nervous  by  myself,  though  I  am  grateful  to  say 
just  now  I  feel  no  cause  to  be  apprehensive.      My  first 

confession  to has  made  me  regret  more  than  ever 

the  loss  of  Pere  Henry's  kindness  &  beautiful  advice. 
The  two  churches  here  S.  Remy  &  S.  Jacques  are 
magnificent  to  look  at.   .   .   . 

It  is  just  possible  I  may  be  leaving  this  hotel  at  once. 
I  will  wire  you  immediately  any  change  of  address. 
Some  rather  unpleasant  people  come  here.  For  other 
reasons  too  I  fear  some  undesirable  complications  may 
arise  if  1   stay.      However  I  am  still  uncertain. 

Mother  has  just  returned  from  a  search  for  new  quarters, 
&  I  am  going  round  with  her  in  a  moment  to  see  some 
rooms  which  she  has  looked  at  &  finds  prettily  situated 


122  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

&  comfortable.  The  Hotels  have  let  all  their  best  places 
by  now,  so  the  move  has  been  made  a  little  difficult. 
Good  bye  dear  *  *  *,  with  the  greatest  affection. 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CXLIV. 
(August,  1897.) 


Hotel  Sandwich, 

Dieppe. 

Friday. 


My  dearest  Brother 

As  you  vv^ill  see  our  attempts  at  a  removal 
have  proved  fruitless.  Mother  is  leaving  for  London  by 
the  afternoon  boat  today.  I  shall  not  be  left  quite  alone 
as  Mrs.  S.  is  staying  in  the  Hotel  &  will  be  able  to  look 
after  me  if  I  fall  ill.  The  weather  is  gradually  improving, 
&  I  dont  fear  any  immediate  disaster. 

What  a  charming  photograph  Y.  Z.  sent  me ;  please 
tell  him  that  I  am  writing  to  him. 

Mother  will  call  on  Doctor  P.  if  he  is  still  in  town. 
She  is  writing  to  you. 

Ever  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXLV. 

(1897.) 

Hotel  Sandwich, 
Dieppe,  August  2nd. 

My  dearest  Brother 

1  am  really  getting  much  stronger  &  am  in 
perfectly  good  spirits.      I  am  able  to  work  too,   &  that 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  123 

keeps  me  employed  the  best  part  of  the  day.  Some 
agreeable  friends  are  staying  here  so  I  am  not  without 
company.     The  unpleasant  people  come  &  go. 

I  should  much  like  M.  to  come  over  when  she  has  time 
to  spare.  Still  I  am  afraid  she  would  get  dreadfully 
bored  with  me  &  my  ways.  Dear  Mother  I  know  has 
been  sadly  tried  these  last  few  months.  But  M.  will  tell 
you  how  impossible  I  am  to  get  on  with.  And  what  can 
you  think  of  me  with  all  my  constant  grumblings  &  changes 
of  mind. 

I  was  expecting  a  letter  from  Mother  by  this  morning's 
post  but  none  has  arrived.  I  had  a  wire  from  her  on 
Saturday.  I  think  she  must  have  seen  Dr.  P.  The 
weather  here  is  not  brilliant  just  now,  but  still  quite 
possible  for   me. 

Very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXLVI. 

(August,  1897.) 

Sandwich  Hotel, 

Dieppe. 

Wednesday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  am  so  unhappy  to  have  had  no  letter  from 
you.  I  do  hope  you  are  quite  well.  I  have  begun  such 
a  number  of  letters  to  you  since  I  wrote  last,  but  strove 
in  vain  to  make  anything  more  than  two  or  three  lines 
out  of  my  uneventful  life.      I  have  enjoyed  a  wonderful 


124  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

stretch  of  good  health,  wonderful  enough  to  make  me 
tremble  at  moments.  Sudden  changes  in  the  weather  I 
notice  much  less  than  formerly. 

I  think  mother  will  be  coming  back  tomorrow,  &  M. 
speaks  of  the  chance  of  her  being  able  to  cross  over  on 
Sunday  week.  It  will  be  a  great  pleasure  for  me  to  see 
her  again.  They  both  tell  me  that  London  has  been  the 
most  horrid  place  imaginable  these  last  few  weeks.  I 
wish  M.  could  have  spent  the  rest  of  the  summer  with  me 
here.      She  must  want  a  really  good  holiday. 

Do  you  know  Vincent  O'Sullivan,  a  young  Catholic 
writer?     He  is  staying  here  just  now. 

Ever  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CXLVII. 
(15th  August,  1897.) 

Sandwich  Hotel, 
Dieppe. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  was  so  interested  in  the  criticism  of  the 
Journal  of  Mental  Science. 

Mother  came  back  on  Thursday.  We  spend  a  great 
deal  of  time  discussing  our  winter  quarters  in  Paris.  I 
am  all  impatience  to  get  there.  We  have  heard  of  a  good 
hotel  in  the  Avenue  d'Antin.  However  mother  will  go 
to  Paris  first  &  make  arrangements. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  125 

I  expect  M.  will  spend  a  week  with  us  soon.  The 
dear  child  seems  to  be  tired  dreadfully  with  rehearsals. 
I  do  hope  she  is  looking  well. 

Mass  was  beautiful  this  morning  at  S.  Remy.  My 
first  celebration  of  the  feast  of  the  Assumption. 

Monday. 

I  have  just  had  a  line  from  Dr.  P.,  he  tells  me  that  he 
is  going  to  spend  some  of  his  holidays  here. 

You  must  not  think  dear  *  *  *  of  writing  to  me  when 
you  are  tired.  I  feel  so  ashamed  of  myself  for  having 
begun  my  last  letter  to  you  so  importunately  &  ungrate- 
fully. What  could  you  have  thought  of  me.  Do  forgive 
me.  You  must  never  trouble  either  to  write  me  long 
letters,  just  a  line  from  you  sometimes  will  always  give 
me  so  much  pleasure  &  encouragement. 

With  the  greatest  affection 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

[CXLVIII.] 
(23rd  August,  1897.) 

Sandwich  Hotel, 

Rue  Halle  au  Bl^. 

Dieppe. 

Monday. 

My   DEAR  Z. 

The  photographs  you  have  sent  me  are 
perfectly  charmmg.  So  very  many  thanks  for  them.  A 
small    vague   one  of   M.  wandering   among  the  trees  is 


126  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

surely  quite  the  prettiest  thing  the  camera  has  ever  done. 
Your  mounts  are  most  successful. 

I  think  I  have  got  a  good  deal  stronger  since  I  have 
been  in  Dieppe,  in  spite  of  bad  weather  too.  For  the 
last  week  or  so  the  rain  has  been  pitiless.  However  it 
has  kept  the  town  delightfully  empty. 

I  am  wondering  if  you  are  likely  to  find  yourself  at  the 
British  Museum  sometime  soon.  If  you  do  it  would  be 
so  very  kind  of  you  to  make  a  reference  for  me  in  the 
library.  The  book  I  should  like  to  have  a  slight  descrip- 
tion of  is  Guiffrey's  "  Les  Coffieri "  (Morgand  &  Fatout, 
Paris,  1877).  I  have  tried  to  get  it  here  but  Morgand 
tells  me  it  is  out  of  print,  &  that  I  should  have  great 
difficulty  in  finding  a  copy.  Please  don't  make  a  journey 
to  the  Museum  unless  you  are  on  a  voyage  of  discovery 
on  your  own  account. 

Always  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CXLIX. 
(August  or  September,  1 897.) 

Sandwich  Hotel, 
Dieppe. 
Wednesday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  am  overjoyed  that  you  think  Paris  a  satis- 
factory winter  city.      I  am  more  pleased  with  the  plan 
than  I  can  say.     I  have  written  a  little  note  to  Dr.  P. 
I  sleep  well  &  eat  very  well. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  127 

We  too  have  been  having  splendid  weather,  &  mos- 
quitos.  The  wind  is  from  the  south,  &  with  the  sun  has 
silenced  my  creaking  lung. 

How  delightful  the  Thames  &  its  banks  must  be  if  you 
are  sharing  this  warmth.  I  hear  of  a  wonderful  life  of 
A.  C.  that  has  just  been  published,  called  1  believe  John 
Johns.     Have  you  read  it  ? 

Again  many  thanks  for  your  letter  which  has  cheered 
me  very  much. 

Yes  I  feel  much  more  happy  now  than  I   did  a  little 

time  ago. 

With  greatest  love 

Ever  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CL. 

(September,  1897.) 

Sandwich  H&tel, 
Dieppe. 
Monday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  keep  wonderfully  well  considering  the 
terribly  rainy  weather  we  have  been  having.  When  is 
the  pilgrimage  to  Belgium  likely  to  be  made  ?  Your 
letter  seems  to  promise  a  chance  of  our  meeting.  1  do 
hope  the  promise  may  be  fulfilled  soon. 

I  was  so  amused  at  all  I  heard  about  the  Hall  Caine 
criticisms.    After  all  this  he  ought  to  be  called  the  Maxman. 

I  have  hopes — faint  ones — that  September  may  turn 
out  clement. 


128  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

I  suppose  you  will  be  at till  the  end  of  it.      We 

have  just  arranged  to  change  our  hotel.     Our  new  address 
is  Hotel  des  Etrangers,  Rue  d'Aguado. 

It  is  such  a  charming  hotel  beautifully  sheltered  from 
the  wind.     I  have  got  a  very  good  room  there.   .   .   . 
Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CLI. 
(September,  1897.) 


Hotel  des  Etrangers, 

Rue  d'Aguado, 

Dieppe. 


My  dearest  Brother 

We  moved  in  here  quite  successfully  this 
morning.  .  .  .  The  people  staying  here  are  many  of  them 
rather  charming. 

There  is  a  very  nice  covered  terrace  to  the  Hotel  so  I 
am  able  to  sit  out  of  doors,  the  best  part  of  the  day. 
Always  your  very  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CLII. 

(September,  1897.) 


Hotel  des  Etrangers, 

Rue  d'Aguado, 

Dieppe. 

Tuesday. 


My  dearest  Brother 

Everyone  tells  me  that  I  am  looking  much 
stronger  since  I  came  here  &  I  feel  better  myself.      M.'s 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  129 

visit  has  cheered  me  very  much,  &  I  think  too  she  has 
enjoyed  her  Httle  visit  to  Dieppe. 

The  weather  has  been  tolerably  good.  Today  how- 
ever is  very  rough,  &  is  making  a  havoc  of  the  tri- 
coloured  flags  hung  over  the  hotel  gates  in  honour  of 
the  new  alliance. 

I  am  beginning  to  add  to  my  food  with  cod  liver  oil, 
&  am  thankful  to  say  that  I  am  able  to  take  it.  If  I  can 
only  manage  to  continue  with  it  regularly  I  feel  sure  it 
will  do  great  things  for  me. 

How  long  will  you  stay  at ?     You  will  be  sad  I 

am  sure  to  leave  such  a  beautiful  garden,  that  makes  such 
delicate  &  tender  backgrounds  in  a  camera's  pictures. 
Every  one  here  has  been  enchanted  with  Z.'s  photographs. 
Would  you  please  tell  him  that  the  book  I  asked  him  to 
look  at  for  me  at  the  British  Museum  has  unexpectedly 
been  sent  me. 

With  much  love 

Your  most  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 
CLIII. 

(September,  1897.) 

Hotel  des  Etrangert, 

Dieppe. 

Tuesday. 

My  DEAREST  Brother 

We  have  had  such  a  spell  of  rainy  weather 
&  were  prepared  to  make  a  flight  to  Paris  if  it  continued. 


130  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

Today  however  has  wrought  a  splendid  change,  &  we 
have  stayed  our  packing.  I  stood  the  cold  damp  weather 
quite  wonderfully. 

Dr.  V.  who  has  been  staying  in  this  hotel  recommends 
Paris  very  warmly  for  at  least  the  first  half  of  the  winter. 
He  thinks  diet  even  more  important  for  me  than  climate. 
He  will  see  me  as  soon  as  I  arrive  in  Paris  &  make  a 
thorough  examination  of  me.  He  spoke  very  hopefully 
of  such  cases  as  mine. 

Everyone  has  been  very  charming  to  me  here.   ...   I 
have  made   famous   progress   since   I   have   been  at  the 
Etrangers.     This  afternoon's  boat  brought  over  Dr.  P. 
He  thought  me  looking  quite  another  person. 
With  much  love 

Always  your  very  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLIV. 
(September,  1897.) 

Hotel  des  Etrangers, 

Dieppe. 

Thursday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Dr.  P.  has  just  put  me  through  a  very  care- 
ful examination.  He  thinks  I  have  made  quite  a  marvel- 
lous improvement  since  he  saw  me  at  the  Windsor 
Hotel,  &c  that  if  I  continue  to  take  care  I  shall  get  quite 
well  &  have  a  new  life  before  me.     He  is  certain  that 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  131 

Paris  is  the  best  place  for  me  for  the  autumn  &  at  least 
the  early  winter. 

I  cannot  tell  you  what  great  joy  it  gives  me  to  be  able 
to  send  yon  this  good  report.  I  wish  I  could  see  you 
soon.   .   .   .   Are  you  likely  to  be  in  Paris  this  autumn. 

We  leave  here  on  next  Tuesday  &  I  think  we  may 
stay  at  Foyot's  Hotel — at  the  corner  of  the  Rue  Tour- 
non  &  the  Rue  Vaugirard.  Its  rather  a  nice  situa- 
tion &  I  shall  be  able  to  get  a  room  facing  South. 
What  a  relief  it  is  to  feel  I  shall  not  have  a  long  journey 
to  make. 

I  am  quite  sorry  to  leave  Dieppe  it  is  such  a  charming 
little  place. 

Good  bye  dear  *  *  * 

With  much  love 

Always  your  very  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLV. 

(September,  1897.) 

Hotel  Foyol, 
Rue  Tournon, 

Paris. 
Wednesday. 

My  DEAREST  Brother 

So  many  thanks  for  your  very  kind  letter  so 

full  of  encouragement.      We  arrived  in  Paris  yesterday 

evening.      I  have  got  such  a  charming  room  at  this  hotel, 

facing  south  &  the  Luxembourg  Gardens.     Paris  is  so 

n  * 


132  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

charming  just  at  this  moment  &  is  quite  the  best  place  for 
me.  I  shed  however  bitter  invisible  tears  on  leaving 
Dieppe.  I  had  so  many  nice  friends  there  &  amusing 
acquaintances.  Particularly  a  very  charming  catholic 
family,  relations  of  Bishop  C.'s.  They  live  in  Paris  so  I 
hope  I  shall  see  a  good  deal  of  them. 

I  cannot  help  feeling  in  good  spirits  today  &  pleased 
that  the  move  here  has  tired  me  so  very  little, 

I  shall  see  Dr.  V.  in  a  few^  days  w^hen  I  have  settled 
down. 

I  hardly  like  to  think  now  of  all  the  thin  ice  I  must 
have  skated  over  since  March  3 1  st  ^ — a  miraculous 
patinage ! 

Good  bye  dear  *  *  *,  most  kind  &  most  patient  of 
brothers. 

With  much  love 

Ever  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLVI. 

(September,  1897.) 

HStel  Foyol, 

Rue  Toumon, 

Paris. 

Saturday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  have  felt  rather  the  change  from  sea  air, 
with  the  result  that  I  am  suffering  from  a  slight  cold  that 

'See  No.  XClll. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  133 

keeps  me  to  my  room.     I  had  just  the  same  trouble  at  the 
Voltaire. 

I  shall  be  so  glad  to  see  Pere  Coube  again  &  shall 
make  my  confession  to  him  next  week.  I  hope  that 
Thursday  will  see  you  back  in  town  wonderfully  re- 
freshed &  strengthened  after  your  holiday.  As  for  me  I 
cun  trying  to  think  of  the  winter  as  bravely  as  possible  & 
encourage  myself  with  the  recital  of  "if  winter  come 
can  spring  be  far  behind ".  I  count  on  a  glowing 
October. 

It  is  a  great  thing  to  be  in  this  quarter  of  Paris,  all  one 
wants  is  just  round  one,  also  it  seems  to  me  to  be  a  few 
degrees  warmer  than  nearer  the  river.  .  .  . 

Good  bye  my  dear  Brother. 
With  much  love 

Ever  your  most  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLVII. 

(1897.) 

Hotel  Foyol, 

Rue  Tournon, 

Paris,  Sept.  27th. 

My  DEAREST  Brother 

I  have  been  suffering  so  from  neuralgia  for 
the  last  few  days  that  I  have  felt  quite  incapable.  Dr.  V. 
came  to  see  me  on  Thursday  &  found  that  my  trouble 
was  in  a  very  advanced  stage,  but  still  quite  curable. 


134  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

I  may  not  only  have  several  years  of  life  before  me, 
but  perhaps  even  a  long  life. 

The  wretched  chill  I  caught  when  I  arrived  here,  has 
not  quite  left  me  yet.  Even  these  last  few  scorching 
days  have  not  set  me  right. 

I  wish  I  had  felt  better  to  enjoy  this  perfectly  marvel- 
lous summer  weather.  I  thought  of  you  much  on  Thursday, 
leaving  your  pleasant  retreat. 

I  paid  a  visit  to  the  Rue  de  Sevres  &  found  that 
Father  Coubl  was  out  of  town  till  the  end  of  this  month. 
I  will  write  him  a  little  note  on  Thursday. 

An  artist  who  is  building  a  grand  new  house  at  B. 
asked  me  to  pay  a  visit  to  it  &  tell  him  what  I  think  of 
a  certain  yellow  paint  he  has  used  for  decorating  his 
salon.  If  I  dislike  it  I  am  to  write  to  him  at  once  &  tell 
him  so.  He  will  then  journey  to  Paris  &  make  some 
change  in  the  colour.  If  I  like  it  the  yellow  is  to  stay. 
I  t//.slike  the  decoration  very  much. 

But  what  am  I  to  do? 

If  I  bring  him  up  all  the  way  to  Paris  &  he  is  after  all 
satisfied  with  the  work  he  will  grumble  at  the  trouble  I 
have  given  him.  If  I  say  nothing  he  will  blame  me  no 
doubt  in  the  long  run  as  he  is  sure  at  some  time  or  other 
to  dislike  the  yellow  of  his  choice. 
With  much  love 

Ever  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  135 

CLVIII. 
(1897.) 

Hotel  Foyot, 
Rue  Touinon, 
Paris,  Oct.  1  st. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Yes  I  am  doing  my  best  to  get  better  & 
stronger,  &  am  of  course  following  Dr.  V.'s  advice.  His 
medicines  are  suiting  me  very  well.  My  obstinate  cold 
has  at  last  left  me.  We  have  been  having  such  fine 
weather,  &  I  am  able  to  be  out  of  doors  a  great  deal.      I 

suppose 's   remark    about  freedom  in  Russia  was 

intended  for  a  joke. 

I  am  dear  Brother 

Your  very  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CLIX. 


(1897.) 


Hotel  Foyot, 

Rue  Touinon, 

Paris,  Oct.  3rd. 

My  dearest  Brother 

.  .  .  The  Hotel  is  in  connection  with  Foyot's 
restaurant  &  visitors  to  the  hotel  get  the  benefit  of  a 
splendid  cooking  for  very  reduced  rates.  The  food  itself 
is  so  good  as  well  as  the  way  it  is  cooked  &  I  am  sure  I 
am  profiting  greatly  by  the  excellence  of  the  "  beef ". 

Dr.  V.  has  ordered  me  to  take  a  turpentine  "  bath  " 
night  &  morning.  1  have  come  out  in  a  magnificent 
rash,  but  still  am  greatly  comforted.     The  weather  keeps 


136  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

very  fine  on  the  whole ;  &  as  long  as  the  winds  dont 
blow  too  roughly,  I  dont  think  I  shall  suffer  from  cold. 

Vincent  O'SuUivan  has  been  staying  in  Paris  a  few 
days.  I  always  like  to  see  him  as  he  is  one  of  the  few 
Catholic  friends  I  have,  &  is  admirably  read  in  Theological 
literature.  He  was  talking  very  interestingly  last  time 
on  the  works  of  S'^-  Theresa.  He  has  just  had  a  story 
accepted  by  the  Mercure  de  France. 

I  wondered  whose  life  it  was  of  Peter  the  Great  you 
were  reading  ?  I  have  just  finished  that  great  &  apalling 
work  "The  Memoirs  of  Casanova". 

Yours  always  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLX. 
(October,  1897.) 

Hotel  Foyot, 
Rue  Tournon, 
Paris. 
Tuesday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

My  neuralgia  has  scarcely  troubled  me  at 
all  lately,  &  I  am  waiting  for  a  letter  from  my  English 
Dentist  before  I  venture  to  place  myself  at  the  mercies 
of  a  stranger.  The  weather  gives  me  continued  cause 
for  gratitude.  Pere  Coube  thought  1  was  looking  much 
better  &  stronger  than  when  he  saw  me  last.  He  has 
just  returned  from  Biarritz  &  advises  me  very  warmly 
to  go  there  if  I  have  to  leave  Paris.  He  says  it  is  so 
amusing  &  invigorating.     I  saw  the  dear  Father  at  the 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  137 

Rue  de  Sevres  again  this  afternoon.  He  was  so  kind  & 
encouraging.  He  asked  often  after  you  &  Y.  Z.  &  sent 
remembrances. 

The  drawings  of  classic  cities  have  not  been  engraved 
yet.  A  photogravure  has  been  made  of  Carthage,  but 
does  not  satisfy  the  artist. 

I  shall  try  to  be  at  S.  Sulpice  next  Sunday.  Cardinal 
Vaughan  seems  to  have  made  a  great  impression  at 
Aries. 

Vincent  O'Sullivan  left  Paris  a  few  days  ago.  I  dont 
see  many  people.  I  am  so  frightened  of  getting  over 
tired. 

My  reading  has  come  to  a  stand  still.     I  wish  you 
could  tell  me  of  some  happy  &  inspiring  book. 
With  much  love 

Always  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

[CLXI.] 
(27th  October,  1897.) 

Hotel  Foyot, 
Rue  de  Tournon, 
Paris. 
My  DEAR  Z. 

This  reproduction  from  the  Pope's  presenta- 
tion album  has  just  appeared  in  a  French  Paper.  I 
thought  perhaps  you  might  not  have  seen  it. 

Always  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


138  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

CLXII. 

Hotel  Foyot, 
Rue  de  Tournon, 
Paris. 
Thursday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  saw  Dr.  V.  today  who  found  a  slight  Im- 
provement in  me.  I  spoke  to  him  about  Biarritz.  He 
thought  it  might  be  a  good  place  but  that  I  should  run 
the  risk  there  of  suffering  from  Atlantic  gales  later  in  the 
winter. 

We  have  had  the  most  astonishing  weather  here,  but 
today  alas,  there  is  a  change — a  sharp  cold  wind  that  has 
tried  me  a  little. 

I  was  at  St.  Sulpice  on  Sunday.  The  church  was 
crowded.  Cardinal  Vaughan  was  the  celebrant.  He 
looked  magnificent  &  was  admired  greatly  by  everybody. 
I  noticed  Father was  in  his  suite. 

I  heard  nothing  of  his  sermon  in  French.  Was  it  ever 
preached  ? 

I  amuse  myself  most  with  picture  books  nowadays.  A 
German  firm  have  been  publishing  such  wonderful  little 
illustrated  biographies  of  artists,  a  most  valuable  series. 
Their  Mantegna  is  so  good.  I  mean  to  spend  some 
afternoons  next  week  at  the  Calcographical  department  of 
the  Louvre.  I  am  told  they  have  a  very  large  collection 
of  engravings  there  for  sale  at  a  few  francs  a  piece.  Do 
you  want  some  Saint  Sebastians? 

I  am  so  glad  that  M.  is  looking  well. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  139 

My  nights  are  quite  good  now,  &  my  appetite  never 

fails  me. 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CLXIII. 


(1897.) 


H6tel  Foyot, 

Rue  de  Tournon, 

Paris,  Oct.  31st. 


My  DEAREST  Brother 

I  have  been  so  worried  &  upset  this  last 
week  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  write.  If  there  had 
not  been  such  splendid  weather  in  my  favour  I  should  have 
really  got  terribly  depressed.  My  room  is  littered  with 
guide  books  to  Mentone,  Cannes,  Biarritz,  etc.,  etc.  We 
have  been  hearing  very  good  things  of  Biarritz.  Dr.  V. 
speaks  well  of  it  &  I  have  heard  of  a  good  &  cheap 
hotel  there.  Did  you  not  stay  once  at  Arcachon? 
Though  if  I  recollect  rightly  it  was  in  the  summer.  I 
wish  you  would  advise  me  about  the  place.  I  know 
consumptives  go  there  in  the  winter.  It  seems  that  the 
changes  in  temperature  &  weather  are  less  frequent  & 
less  sudden  than  in  the  Riviera.  Still  1  suppose  in  the 
south  of  France  one  would  get  more  sun.  I  dread  re- 
peating the  grey  skies  of  Bournemouth. 

Every   fresh   person   one   meets    has    fresh    places   to 
suggest  &  fresh  objections  to  the  places  we  have  already 


140  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

thought  of.     Yet  I  dare  not  Hnger  late  in  Paris  ;  but  what 
a  pity  that  I  have  to  leave ! 

Mother  has  just  had  given  her  a  bottle  of  water  from 
Lourdes  for  me  from  the  sisters  of  the  Sacre  Coeur. 
They  were  so  sweet  &   kind. 

How  are  you  in  London?  I  hear  of  bad  fogs  &  am 
all  gratitude  as  I  sun  myself  in  the  streets  here.  I  keep 
wonderfully  well  &  at  times  dont  look  ill  at  all.  Every- 
one has  noticed  my  improvement.  Yet  all  the  same  I  get 
dreadfully  nervous,  &  stupidly  worried  about  little  things. 

Will  you  please  tell  Y.  Z.  that  the  St.  Sebastian  I  sent 
him  is  from  a  fresco  by  Pinturicchio  in  the  newly  opened 
Borgia  apartments  at  the  Vatican.  I  believe  the  frescoes 
have  not  been  seen  since  the  time  of  Alexander  VI. 
The  present  pope  had  an  album  of  photogravures  made 
from  them  &  sent  presentation  copies  to  most  of  the 
crowned  heads  &  chefs  d'Etat  in  the  world. 

Last  week  Mgr.  Clari  brought  Feliz  Faure  his  copy. 
With  much  love 

Always  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CLXIV. 

(1st  November,  1897.) 


Hotel  Foyot, 
Rue  de  Tournon. 


My  dearest  Brother 

We  shall  descend  at  Mentone  &  stay  there 
unless  we  find  Bordighera  very  tempting  indeed.    Thurs- 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  141 

day  next  is  our  day  of  departure.  In  the  meantime  Paris 
is  as  warm  as  in  June,  perfectly  bewildering  weather. 
However  fine  weather  is  as  necessary  for  travelling  (in 
my  state)  as  a  railway  ticket.  I  should  dread  a  night 
journey  in  the  cold. 

We  had  very  chilly  weather  &  a  little  fog  here  about 
a  week  ago  &  I  suffered  a  good  deal. 

My  nights  are  quite  undisturbed  now.  I  am  so  ashamed 
of  myself  for  grumbling  so  much.  In  so  many  ways  I  am 
better  &  stronger  than  I  have  ever  been  since  my  school 
days. 

Thank  you  more  than  I  can  say  for  what  you  wrote  to 
me  about  prayers  for  health. 

I  have  just  been  interrupted  in  the  middle  of  this  by 
the  visit  of  M.  Saunier  who  has  quite  lost  his  heart  to 
London. 

With  much  love 

Always  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CLXV. 
(1897.) 

Hotel  Foyot, 
Rue  de  Toumon, 
Paris,  Nov.  2nd. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Mother  saw  Dr.  V.  yesterday.  He  is  in 
no  hurry  for  me  to  leave  Paris  so  long  as  this  wonderful 
weather  lasts,  &  says  the  South  of  France  is  not  fit  for  me 


142  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

just  yet.  I  am  so  grateful  to  you  for  your  advice  about 
Arcachon.  I  must  confess  I  was  a  little  frightened  by  the 
Bournemouthy  pictures  of  the  place  in  the  guide  book. 

All  Saints  day  was  brilliant  here,  such  crowds  in  the 
Churches. 

With  much  love 

Yours  always  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLXVI. 

(November,  1897.) 

Hotel  Foyot, 
Thursday. 

My  dearest  Brother 

At  the  last  moment  Dr.  V.  has  forbidden 
me  to  make  the  journey  at  night  &  moreover  insists  on 
my  breaking  the  journey  at  Marseilles.  So  we  had  to 
return  our  Wagon  lits,  &  put  off  the  departure  till  to- 
morrow morning.  It  is  quite  cold  &  foggy  again  here,  & 
I  get  very  good  accounts  of  the  weather  in  the  south.  If 
I  dont  take  a  decided  turn  for  the  better  now  I  shall  go 
down  hill  rather  quickly. 

I  had  quite  sad  news  from  Pere  Coube  yesterday,  it 
was  of  the  death  of  dear  old  Pere  Henry.     He  died  in 
Paris  very  peacefully.     I  dont  think  you  ever  saw  him. 
He  was  so  kindly  &  so  saintly. 
With  much  love 

Always  yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  143 

CLXVII. 


(November,  1897.) 


Hotel  Cosmopolilain, 
Mentone. 
Monday. 


My  dearest  Brother 

I  was  very  tired  after  the  journey  &  did  not 
seem  able  to  write  at  all.  We  are  staying  here  as  I  feel 
sure  the  place  will  suit  me.  The  air  is  lovely  &  there  is 
so  much  sun.     I  do  hope  I  may  get  a  little  better. 

To  day  I  saw  the  town,  it  is  pretty  &  not  at  all  dull. 
I  have  had  no  more  haemorrhage  &  think  I  shall  avoid  it 
if  I  take  care. 

Please  forgive  a  very  short  letter,  I  shall  look  forward 
to  hearing  from  you. 

With  much  love 

Yours  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CLXVIII. 


(1897.) 


Hotel  Cosmopolilain, 

Menton,  Nov.  29th. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  have  quite  recovered  from  my  fatigue,  & 
am  prospering  in  this  wonderful  sunshine.  I  cant  tell 
how  grateful  I  feel  to  have  got  belter  again.  The  pains 
in  my  lungs  have  left  me  &  my  cough  is  much  less  trouble- 
some.     I  sleep  without  any  distress  &  eat  quite  heartily. 


144  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

Even  in  this  short  time  the  people  here  have  noticed  an 
improvement  in  me, 

I  am  able  to  be  out  almost  all  day,  &  there  are  such  beauti- 
fully sheltered  spots  in  the  grounds  of  this  hotel  where  I  can 
sit  all  the  morning  if  I  am  too  tired  to  get  down  to  the  sea. 

The  little  town  here  is  so  gay  &  amusing. 

There  are  several  churches.  The  old  Cathedral  of  S. 
Michel,  the  Penitents  Blancs  &  Penitents  noirs  &  quite 
near  me  a  little  chapel  which  I  shall  always  attend.  Pere 
Calixte  is  in  charge  of  it.  He  seems  very  kind  &  serious. 
I  shall  make  my  confessions  to  him.  You  would  like  the 
chapel  so  much,  it  is  dedicated  to  S.  Roch.  The  quete 
is  made  in  a  shell. 

I  am  much  happier  &c  more  peaceful  than  when  I  wrote 
to  you  last.  I  do  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  send  you  more 
&  more  satisfactory  accounts  of  myself. 

The  mistral  has  not  blown  yet. 
With  much  love 

Always  your  very  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLXIX. 
(1897.) 

H8tel  Cosmopolitain, 

Menton,  Deer.  6th. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Mentone  suits  me  splendidly.  Our  hotel 
stands  high,  so  I  have  the  benefit  of  mountain  air  as  well 
as  sea,  a  very  improving  combination. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  145 

I  am  gradually  throwing  off  my  languor  &  depression,  & 
am  particularly  grateful  to  be  less  troubled  with  the  latter  as 
depression  seems  to  unfit  me  more  for  resistance  to  all  sorts  of 
temptations  than  even  thoughtlessness  or  positive  weakness. 
I  have  just  been  reading  a  Port  Royalist  version  of 
Saint  Augustin's  Confessions.  I  am  quite  astonished  at 
what  he  says  about  beauty  &  the  use  of  the  eyes. 
With  much  love 

Always  your  most  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLXX. 

(1897.) 

Hitel  Cosmopolitain, 

Menton,  Deer.  13th. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Winter  is  wonderful  down  here  we  have  not 
had  a  single  cold  day  since  we  arrived.  Only  for  a 
couple  of  hours  or  so  at  sundown  do  I  have  to  close  my 
windows.  What  a  splendid  salesman  you  must  be  or 
what  a  cunning  purchaser  to  get  rid  of  any  book  with  so 
small  a  loss.  I  should  probably  have  got  shillings  instead 
of  pounds  for  the  Behmen. 

Do  you  know  anything  of  a  German  novelist  named 
Ludwig  Habicht.  He  has  been  staying  at  this  hotel.  .  .  . 
This  week  1  am  sorry  to  say  he  has  gone  away  also  some 
other  very  charming  people,  Americans,  have  left.  I  am 
hoping  that  Christmas  will  bring  me  some  more  companion- 
able folk. 

10 


146  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

Every  one  in  Mentone  is  on  a  bicycle  &  bursting  with 
health.      I  believe  I  am  the  only  invalid  in  the  place. 

My  other  grievance  is  mosquitos.     They  have  attacked 
me  atrociously.      So  many  thanks  for  your  kind  letter. 
How  interesting  Ward's  book  must  be. 
With  much  love 

Always  your  very  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

[CLXXI.] 

(1897.) 

Hotel  Cosmopolitain, 

Menton,  Dec.  22nd. 

My  dear  Z. 

I  must  write  you  a  few  lines  to  send  you 
my  best  wishes  for  Christmas. 

Contrary  to  all  my  expectations  I  have  found  Mentone 
a  charming  place,  &  it  was  a  most  good  Providence  that 
led  us  to  this  particular  hotel.  It  is  well  out  of  the  town 
&  on  the  hill,  but  with  my  renewed  vigour  the  ascent 
gives  me  very  little  trouble.  I  had  run  down  terribly 
before  I  came  here  &  was  quite  shattered  by  the  journey. 
I  shall  be  curious  to  see  how  1  progress  in  the  wonder- 
fully favourable  conditions  that  Mentone  affords.  I  am 
at  this  moment  feeling  about  as  well  as  I  did  before  Dr. 
P.  saw  me  at  Dieppe.  A  gradual  improvement  however 
slight  will  encourage  me  a  good  deal.  I  was  weighed 
at  a  medical  institute  here  at  the  beginning  of  the  month 
&  await  nervously  the  verdict  of  the  bascule  on  Jany  2nd. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  147 

The  terrible  accuracy  of  this  machine  will  not  leave  me 
in  any  charming  doubts  such  as  the  penny  in  the  slot  ones 
might  allow.      I  shall  know  my  loss  to  a  gramme. 

My  mother  joins  me  in  kindest  regards  &  sends  you 
her  best  wishes  for  Christmas. 

Always  yours 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLXXII. 
(1897.) 

HStel  Cosmopolitain, 

Menton,  Dec.  23rd. 

My  dearest  Brother 

How  much  I  shall  think  of  you  this  Christ- 
mas &  how  gratefully.  But  my  gratitude  can  never 
equal  your  goodness  &  kindness.  M.  tells  me  that  she 
will  be  with  you  on  Christmas  evening  ;  I  am  so  glad  for 
I  shall  feel  that  her  presence  gives  me  a  sort  of  place 
amongst  you  on  Saturday. 

I  do  hope  the  most  encouraging  of  all  the  Feasts  will 
bring  you  the  fullest  joy  &  happiness. 

With  the  utmost  affection 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CLXXIII. 


(1897.) 


HStel  Cosmopolitain, 

Menton,  Deer.  30th. 

My  dearest  Brother 

.    .    .    Among   many   things    your   goodness 

has  taught  me  is  a  greater  care  &  wisdom  in  the  spend- 

10* 


148  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

ing  of  money.  How  hot  my  face  gets  when  I  think  how 
wildly  &  uselessly  one  scattered  one's  money  once.  I 
am  glad  to  say  life  is  comparatively  cheap  here,  much 
cheaper  for  instance   than   at  such  a   place  as    Dieppe. 

I  am  delighted  at  your  success  with  the  works  of 
[J.  A.]  Symonds.  There  is  much  to  be  said  for  a  writer 
who  may  be  sold  profitably  at  second  hand. 

Yes  there  is  a  library  here  but  not  a  very  good  one. 
However  I  belong  to  it  as  I  found  a  dozen  books  or  so 
on  the  catalogue  that  I  was  anxious  to  read,  &  were 
worth  the  expenditure  of  six  francs. 

Oh  how  good  of  you  to  think  of  sending  me  some 
scraps  from  Archbishop  Ullathornes  life,  but  have  you 
really  the  time  to  copy  them  out !  For  the  last  twenty 
four  hours  we  have  had  a  pitiless  drench  of  rain,  &  the 
Mentonese  are  rejoicing  for  the  sake  of  their  oranges  & 
lemons.  But  1  am  grumbling  dreadfully  at  being  kept 
indoors. 

With  the  greatest  affection,  &  gratitude  for  your 
brotherly  care  &  love. 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLXXIV. 
(1897.) 

Hotel  Cosmopolitain, 

Menton,  Jan.  I  llh. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Thank  you   so  much  for  your  kind   letter. 
Yes  I  am  in  a  land  of  sunshine  again,  &  the  spell  of  wet 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  149 

weather  does  not  seem  to  have  done  me  the  least  hurt. 
Menton  is  a  truly  sociable  little  place,  &  the  strong 
English  contingent  here  furnishes  me  with  quite  a  number 
of  people  to  talk  to.  There  is  a  famous  egyptologist 
here  who  looks  like  a  corpse,  has  looked  like  one  for 
fourteen  years,  who  is  much  worse  than  I  am,  &  yet  lives 
on  &  does  things.  My  spirits  have  gone  up  immensely 
since  I  have  known  him. 

Both  the  Priests  who  visit  me  here  have  been  invalids 
like  myself  &  are  so  kind  &  sympathetic.  Neither  of 
them  are  French.  The  Abbe  Luzzani  is  German  & 
Italian,  &  Father  Orchmans  is  Beige.  The  cure  of 
Menton  is  an  old  dear  but  I  see  very  little  of  him. 

Your  year's  waiting  will  surely  be  attended  with  the 
greatest  graces,  as  are  even  the  least  acts  of  obedience. 
With  our  best  love  to  all 

Yours  always  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLXXV. 

(1898.) 

Hotel  Costnopolitain, 

Menton,  Jany.  24th. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  was  so  glad  to  get  your  letter  which  I 
would  have  answered  before,  but  I  have  had  to  rest  my 
arm  a  little  owing  to  rather  a  painful  attack  of  rhumatism. 
We  have  just  got  over  some  very  treacherous  weather, 
made  up  of  a  cold  north  east  wind  &  a  really  summer 


150  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

sun.  All  that  though  has  given  way  at  last  to  a  de- 
licious spring  mildness.  You  would  be  delighted  with 
the  flowering  shrubs  here ;  &  trees  like  the  mimosa  litter- 
ally  sing  with  bees. 

To  day  Father  Orchmans  who  was  lunching  with  us 
told  me  that  Monsieur  de  C,  is  now  a  Vicaire.  He  was 
so  interested  to  hear  that  I  had  met  him,  &  that  I  knew 
Father  Coube. 

I  have  found  the  Egyptologist  an  amusing  person. 
This  morning  he  gave  me   such  an  interesting  account 

of  a  convent  of at  — — .      He  has  introduced  a 

number  of  pupils  to  their  school  most  of  whom  have 
ended  by  becoming  nuns. 

He  is  himself  a  quaker,  but  I  am  sure  will  be  drawn 
to  the  Church  sooner  or  later. 

I  was  so  glad  to  hear  of  R.  being  so  devoted. 

No  I  have  never  heard  of  the  preservative  girdles  you 
speak  of,  &  I  am  curious  to  know  something  about  them. 
With  our  best  love  to  all 

Always  yours  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLXXVl. 
(1898.) 

H8tel  Cosmopolitain, 

Menton,  Feby.  2ncl. 

I  have  had  a  slight  return  of  Rhumatism,  &  a  touch  of 
congestion,  so  have  had  to  keep  my  bed  for  a  few  days 
&  am  alas  still  there. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  151 

How  glad  I  was  to  get  your  letters,  &  that  precious 
little  book  on  S.  Thomas.  It  was  very  charming  of  you 
to  think  of  the  stamps ;  Father  Cavanagh  has  them  by 
this.     The  girdle  I  look  forward  to  exceedingly. 

I  got  such  a  kind  letter  last  night  from  dear  Father  B. 
I  am  sorry  to  say  he  has  been  unwell.  He  is  convales- 
cent now.  He  gave  me  such  an  interesting  account  of 
Wardour  Castle  where  he  is  now  staying. 

Please  forgive  such  a  scanty  letter  but  I  feel  rather 
incapable  after  the  fatigues  of  enforced  rest,  &  a  diet 
from  which  solid  foods  have  almost  entirely  been  ex- 
cluded. 

Yours  always  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


CLXXVII. 

(1898.) 

Hdtel  Cosmopolitain, 
Menton,  Feby.  9th. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  am  still  bedridden.  We  have  had  a  sad 
spell  of  mistral  which  has  kept  my  poor  chest  in  a 
menacing  state.  Everyone  has  been  so  kind  &  sym- 
pathetic. Father  Orchmans  &  the  Abbe  Luzzani  come 
often  to  see  me,  &  cheer  me  much,  &  help  me  to  chase 
away  Maitre  Pathelin's  Papillons  noirs. 

Thank  you  very  much  for  your  letter,  I  am  so  grieved 


152  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

that  you  have  not  been  very  v^^ell.      I  too  have  knov^n 
something  of  weariness  this  last  vv^eek  or  two. 

For  a  traveller,  weariness  is  the  good  Angel  that  keeps 
him  in  mind  of  the  end  of  his  journey. 

Both  Mother  &  myself  have  relished  the  little  book  on 
S.  Thomas  very  greatly.  She  says  she  wishes  she  had 
a  copy  herself,  &  I  wonder  if  you  have  still  one  you 
could  send  her.      She  would  be  so  grateful. 

Good  bye  my  dearest  Brother. 

I  am  always  most  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

CLXXVIII. 
(1898.) 

Hotel  Cosmopolitain, 

Menton,  Feby.  16th. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  have  been  able  to  get  up  for  a  short  time 
to  day,  but  look  very  disconsolate  with  a  beard  &  in  an 
extremely  composite  costume.  It  was  so  sweet  of  you  to 
send  me  the  little  book  of  Faber's,  I  liked  it  so  much. 
Mother  asks  me  to  thank  you  for  the  maxims  of  S. 
Thomas.  F.  Cavanagh  sent  me  a  blessed  card.  Yes  it 
is  beautifully  designed. 

There  has  been  a  great  deal  of  illness  here  the  last 
few  weeks.     The  Egyptologist  has  kept  me  company. 

Ever  very  affectionately 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  153 

CLXXIX. 
(1898.) 

Hotel  Cosmopolitain, 
Menton,  Feb.  21st. 

My  dearest  Brother 

I  hope  you  are  much  less  worried  now,  or 
rather  not  worried  at  all. 

I  am  glad  to  say  I  have  not  been  sent  to  bed  again. 
My  first  few  days  of  convalescence  were  blessed  with  the 
most  perfect  weather  &  I  made  good  progress. 

To  day  alas  there  is  a  downpour  &  I  am  miserably 
depressed.  There  is  hardly  any  trace  left  of  the  con- 
gestion, but  the  rhumatism  as  might  be  expected  is  most 
obstinate,  when  I  get  stronger  Dr.  C.  will  order  me 
massage. 

My  copy  of  La  Cathedrale  has  not  arrived  yet.  I 
read  a  short  extract  from  it  in  some  paper  which  made 
me  curious  to  get  the  book,  but  I  dont  expect  to  like  it 
as  I  never  like  Huysmans. 

Do  you  know  a  picture  of  Benozzo  Gozzolis  (at  the 
Louvre)  called  Le  Triomphe  de  S.  Thomas  d'Aquin? 
I  saw  a  photograph  of  it  the  other  day.  It  is  quite  the 
most  brilHant  &  attractive  thing. 

I  was  indeed  delighted  with  Fr. 's  text  for  his 

sermon  on  the  conversion  of  England.     I  am  by  the  way 
just  having  a  book  of  his  sent  me. 

Fathers  Orchmans  &  Luzzani  are  deeply  interested 
in  the  doings  at  S.  Ethelburgas  full  accounts  of  which 
have  appeared  in  La  Croix. 


154  LAST  LETTERS  OF 

The  country  house  of  the  dear  Oratorians  must  I  am 
sure  be  a  delightful  retreat.  I  wish  you  would  remember 
me  very  affectly  fo  F.S.B.  when  you  see  him  next. 

I  should  like  to  have  written  you  a  much  nicer  letter 
but  I  cannot  overcome  my  downcast  feelings.  It  has  all 
been  such  a  terrible  disappointment  for  me. 

With  the  greatest  affection 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

Mother  poor  dear  lady  has  been  such  a  martyr  to 
toothache  these   last  few   days. 


CLXXX. 

(1898.) 

H6tel  Cosmopolitain, 
Menton,  Feb.  27th. 

My  dearest  Brother 

Thank  you  very  much  for  your  letter,  & 
the  little  book  for  the  month  of  S.  Joseph  which  I  will 
read  with  you  day  by  day  through  March.  I  am  not 
able  to  get  out  yet  so  I  have  a  lot  of  time  for  reading. 

I  am  in  better  spirits,  indeed  very  happy  at  times,  for 
I  have  really  great  cause  to  be  thankful  for  this  latest 
trouble.  I  have  been  reading  a  good  deal  of  S.  Alphonsus 
Liguori ;  no  one  dispells  depression  more  effectually  than 
he.  Reading  his  loving  exclamations  so  lovingly  re- 
iterated it  is  impossible  to  remain  dull  &  sullen.  I 
believe  it  is  often  mere  physical  exhaustion  more  than 


AUBREY  BEARDSLEY  155 

hardness   of   heart  that  leaves  me   so  apathetic  &  un- 
interested. 

•  «•••••••• 

I  am  dear  *  *  * 

Your  very  affectionate 

Aubrey  Beardsley. 

Aubrey  Beardsley  died  1 6th  March,  1 898,  in  his  26th 
year. 

...  At  nine  there  w^as  a  Mass  at  the  Cathedral,  one 
of  the  clergj'  there  officiated  and  F.  Orchmans  was  there, 
and  then  took  over  the  burial  service.  My  head  is  so 
stupid  I  cannot  w^rite  clearly,  but  I  want  you  to  know 
how  beautiful  everything  was,  the  dear  heart  himself 
would  have  loved  it.  There  was  music.  The  road 
from  the  Cathedral  to  the  Cemetery  was  so  wonderfully 
beautiful,  winding  up  a  hill ;  it  seemed  like  the  way  of 
the  Cross ;  it  was  long  and  steep  and  we  walked.  His 
grave  is  on  the  edge  of  the  hill ;  it  is  hewn  out  of  the 
rock,  and  is  a  true  sepulchre,  with  an  arched  opening 
and  a  stone  closing  it.  We  thought  of  the  sepulchre  of 
the  Lord.   .   .   . 


INDEX. 


Adolphe,  35,  36,  38. 

Balzac,  65. 

Behn,  Mrs.  Aphra,  13. 

Bernhardt,  Mme.  Sarah,  4,  48,  50. 

Boussod  Valadon,  67. 

Browning,  7. 

Burrard,  Capt.,  68. 

Cazotte,  60. 
Cecilia,  27,  34. 
Crashaw,  I. 

Das  Rheingold,  20. 
Davray,  M.,  90.  105. 
Dick,  C.  Cotsford,  19. 
Diderot,  24. 
Dolmetsch,  Arnold,  12. 
Donnay,  Maurice,  29. 
Doxat,  Frau  Ida,  9. 
Dowson,  Ernest,  34. 

Eida  Sabola,  22. 
Ellis,  Havelock,  21. 
ErewJwn,  25. 
Esther  Waters,  19. 
Evan  Harrington,  105. 
Evelina,  27,  34. 

F^nelon,  35. 
F^re,  Charles,  23. 

Oaston  de  Latour,  24. 
Goethe,  6. 
Goodyear,  18. 


Habicht,  Ludwig,  145. 
Harland,  Henry,  68. 
Hawtrey,  Miss,  54. 
Heine,  55. 
Hello,  Ernest,  92. 
Huysmans,  85,  153. 

John  Johns,  \T1. 

Laclos,  Choderlos  de,  35,  36. 

La  Nouvellc  HMo'ise,  20. 
Les  Liaisons  dangereuses,  41. 
Lohengrin,  7. 
Lorraine,  Claude,  25,  27. 
Louys,  Pierre,  33. 
Ly.sistrafa,  16,  29. 

Martyn,  Edward,  28. 
M'Daniel,  Fr.,  16. 
Mend^s,  Catulle,  29. 
Meredith,  George,  3,  105. 
Moore,  George,  19. 
Musset,  A.  de,  42. 

Napoleon,  23,  24,  32. 
Nietzsche,  Friedrich,  22. 

O'SuUivan,  Vincent,  136. 

Pan,  4. 

Parker,  Gilbert.  23. 

Pascal,  55. 

P^re  Goriot,  65. 

Pfere  Ollivier,  84. 

Prudhon,  20,  36. 

157 


158 


INDEX 


Rachilde,  23,  41.53.  87.  88. 

jf?(  stif  de  la  Bretonne,  32. 
Ribadaneyra,  87. 
Rothenstein,  W..  110. 

St.  John,  Miss  Florence.  20. 
Sainte-Beuve,  47. 
Sainte-Theresa,  84. 
Salome,  1. 

Sand,  Georges,  26,  61,  62. 
Sidonia  the  Sorceress,  29. 

Ta7inhduser,  4,  23. 

The  Babe,  71. 

The  Island  of  Dr.  Moreau,  24,  26. 


The  Memoirs  of  Casanova,  1 36. 
The  Pilgrim's  Progress,  41. 
The  Thousand  and  One  Nights,9\. 
Thompson,  Dr.  Symes,  14,  79. 
Toulouse,  Ed.,  50. 

Uzanne,  Octave,  91,  97. 

Voltaire,  28. 
VolupU,  47. 

Watteau,  6,  44,  45, 
Winckelmann.  6. 

Zola,  29,  30,  31,42. 


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A    SELECT    LIST 

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THEOLOGICAL    BOOKS 

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The  Lapse  of  Time.  Epiphany :  Remembrance  of  Past  ^^ercies  —  Equanimity — The 
Immortality  of  the  Soul  —  Christian  Manhood  —  Sincerity  and  Hypocrisy  —  Christian 
Sympathy.  Septiiagesima :  Present  Blessings.  Sexap^csima :  Endurance,  the  Christian's 
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of  Human  Life  —Moral  Effects  of  Communion  with  God — The  Thought  of  God  the  Stay  of 
the  Soul — The  Power  of  the  Will — The  Gospel  Palaces — Religion  a  Weariness  to  the 
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A  SELECT  LIST  OF  WORKS 


CARDINAL  NEWMAN'S  WORKS. 

Parochial  and  Plain  Sermons.  Edited  by  Rev.  w.  j.  Copeland,  B.D., 
late  Rector  of  Farnham,  Essex.  8  vols.  Sold  separatel)'.  Crown 
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Contents  of  Vol.  I. :— Holiness  necessary  for  Future  Blessedness — The  Immortality 
of  the  Soul— Knowledge  of  God's  Will  without  Obedience— Secret  Faults— Self-Denial  the 
Test  of  Religious  Earnestness — The  Spiritual  Mind — Sins  of  Ignorance  and  Weakness — 
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without  Practice — Profession  without  Hypocrisy — Profession  without  Ostentation — 
Promising  without  Doing — Religious  Emotion — Religious  Faith  Rational — The  Christian 
Mysteries — The  Self-Wise  Inquirer — Obedience  the  Remedy  for  Religious  Perplexity — Times 
of  Private  Prayer — Forms  of  Private  Prayer — The  Resurrection  of  the  Body — Witnesses  of 
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Human  Sorrow^Christian  Manhood. 

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nation^Martj'rdom — Love  of  Relations  and  Friends — The  Mind  of  Little  Children — 
Ceremonies  of  the  Church — The  Glory  of  the  Christian  Church — St.  Paul's  Conversion 
viewed  in  Reference  to  his  Office — Secrecy  and  Suddenness  of  Divine  Visitations — Divine 
Decrees — The  Reverence  Due  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary — Christ,  a  Quickening  Spirit — 
Saving  Knowledge — Self-Contemplation — Religious  Cowardice — The  Gospel  Witnesses — 
Mysteries  in  Religion — The  Indwelling  Spirit — The  Kingdom  of  the  Saints — The  Gospel, 
a  Trust  Committed  to  us — Tolerance  of  Religious  Error — Rebuking  Sin — The  Christian 
Ministry — Human  Responsibility — Guilelessness — The  Danger  of  Riches — The  Powers  of 
Nature — The  Danger  of  Accomplishments— Christian  Zeal — Use  of  Saints'  Days. 

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— Saul — Early  Years  of  David — Jeroboam — Faith  and  Obedience — Christian  Repentance — 
Contracted  Views  in  Religion — A  Particular  Providence  as  revealed  in  the  Gospel — Tears 
of  Christ  at  the  Grave  of  Lazarus — Bodily  Suffering — The  Humiliation  of  the  Eternal  Son 
— Jewish  Zeal  a  Pattern  to  Christians — Submission  to  Church  Authority — Contest  between 
Truth  and  Falsehood  in  the  Church — The  Church  Visible  and  Invisible — The  Visible 
Church  an  Encouragement  to  Faith — The  Gift  of  the  Spirit — Regenerating  Baptism — Infant 
Baptism — The  Daily  Service — The  Good  Part  of  Mary — Religious  Worship  a  Remedy  for 
Excitements— Intercession — The  Intermediate  State. 

Contents  of  Vol  IV. : — The  Strictness  of  the  Law  of  Christ — Obedience  without  Love, 
as  instanced  in  the  Character  of  Balaam — Moral  Consequences  of  Single  Sins — Acceptance 
of  Religious  Privileges  Compulsory — Reliance  on  Religious  Observances — The  Individuality 
of  the  Soul — Chastisement  amid  Mercy — Peace  and  Joy  amid  Chastisement — The  State  of 
Grace — The  Visible  Church  for  the  Sake  of  the  Elect — The  Communion  of  Saints — The 
Church  a  Home  for  the  Lonely — The  Invisible  World — The  Greatness  and  Littleness  of 
Human  Life — Moral  Effects  of  Communion  with  God — Christ  Hidden  from  the  World — 
Christ  Manifested  in  Remembrance — The  Gainsaying  of  Korah — The  Mysteriousness  of 
our  Present  Being — The  Ventures  of  Faith — Faith  and  Love — Watching — Keeping  Fast 
and  Festival. 

Contents  of  Vol.  V. : — Worship,  a  Preparation  for  Christ's  Coming — Reverence,  a 
Belief  in  God's  Presence — Unreal  Words — Shrinking  from  Christ's  Coming — Equanimity — 
Remembrance  of  Past  Mercies — The  Mystery  of  Godliness — The  State  of  Innocence — 
Christian  Sympathy — Righteousness  not  of  us,  but  in  us — The  Law  of  the  Spirit — The  New 
Works  of  the  Gospel — The  State  of  Salvation — Transgressions  and  Infirmities — Sins  of 
Infirmity — Sincerity  and  Hypocrisy — The  Testimony  of  Conscience — Many  called.  Few 
chosen — Present  Blessings — Endurance,  the  Christian's  Portion — Affliction,  a  School  of 
Comfort— The  Thought  of  God,  the  Stay  of  the  Soul— Love,  the  One  Thing  Needful— The 
Power  of  the  Will. 

Contents  of  Vol.  VI. : — Fasting,  a  Source  of  Trial — Life,  the  Season  of  Repentance — 
Apostolic  Abstinence,  a  Pattern  for  Christians — Christ's  Privations,  a  Meditation  for  Chris- 
tians— Christ  the  Son  of  God  made  Man — The  Incarnate  Son,  a  Sufferer  and  Sacrifice — 
The  Cross  of  Christ  the  Measure  of  the  World— Difficulty  of  realising  Sacred  Privileges — 
The  Gospel  Sign  Addressed  to  Faith — The  Spiritual  Presence  of  Christ  in  the  Church — 
The  Eucharistic  Presence — Faith  the  Title  for  Justification — Judaism  of  the  Present  Day 
— The  Fellowship  of  the  Apostles — Rising  with  Christ — Warfare  the  Condition  of  Victory 
— Waiting  for  Christ — Subjection  of  the  Reason  and  Feelings  to  the  Revealed  Word — 
The  Gospel  Palaces — The  Visible  Temple — Offerings  for  the  Sanctuary— The  Weapons 
of  Saints — Faith  Without  Demonstration — The  Mystery  of  the  Holy  Trinity — Peace  in 
Believing, 


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8vo.     3s.  6d. 

Contents  :— The  Work  of  the  Christian— Saintliness  not  Forfeited  by  the  Penitent— 
Our  Lord's  Last  Supper  and  His  First— Dangers  to  the  Penitent— The  Three  Offices  of 
Christ— Faith  and  Experience- Faith  unto  the  World— The  Church  and  the  World- In- 
dulgence in  Religious  Privileges— Connection  between  Personal  and  Public  Improvement 
—Christian  Nobleness— Joshua  a  Type  of  Christ  and  His  Followers— Elisha  a  Type  of 
Christ  and  His  Followers— The  Christian  Church  a  Continuation  of  the  Jewish— The 
Principles  of  Continuity  between  the  Jewish  and  Christian  Churches— The  Christian 
Church  an  Imperial  Power— Sanctity  the  Token  of  the  Christian  Empire— Condition  of  the 
Members  of  the  Christian  Empire — The  Apostolic  Christian-  Wisdom  and  Innocence — 
Invisible  Presence  of  Christ— Outward  and  Inward  Notes  of  the  Church— Grounds  for 
Steadfastness  in  our  Religious  Profession— Elijah  the  Prophet  of  the  Latter  Days— Feast- 
ing in  Captivity— The  Parting  of  Friends. 


Fifteen   Sermons   Preached   before   the  University   of  Oxford. 
between  a.d.  1826  and  1843.     Crown  8vo.     3s.  6d. 

Contents  :— The  Philosophical  Temper,  first  enjoined  by  the  Gospel— The  Influence  of 
Natural  and  Revealed  Religion  respectively— Evangelical  Sanctity  the  Perfection  of 
Natural  Virtue  -The  Usurpations  of  Reason— Personal  Inlluence,  the  Means  of  Propagating 
the  'fruth- On  Justice  as  a  Principle  of  Divine  Govenmiice— Contest  between  Faith 
and  Sight— Human  Responsibility,  as  independent  of  Circumstances— Wilfulness,  the  .Sin 
of  Saul  —Faith  and  Reason,  contrasted  as  Habits  of  Mind— The  Nature  of  Faith  in  Relation 
to  Reason— Love,  the  Safeguard  of  Faith  against  Superstition- Implicit  and  Explicit 
Reason— Wisdom,  as  contrasted  with  Faiih  and  with  Bigotry— The  Iheory  of  Dsvelop- 
ments  in  Religious  Doctrine. 


A  SELECT  LIST  OF  WORKS 


CARDINAL  NEWMAN'S  WORKS. 
Verses  on  Various  Occasions.    Crown  8vo.    3s.  6d. 

Discourses  Addressed  to  Mixed  Congregations.    Crown  8vo.  3s.  6d. 

Contents  : — The  Salvation  of  the  Hearer  the  Motive  of  the  Preacher — Neglect  of  Divine 
Calls  and  Warnings — Men  not  Angles — The  Priests  of  the  Gospel — Purity  and  Love— 
Saintliness  the  Standard  of  Christian  Principle — God's  Will  the  End  of  Life — Perseverance 
in  Grace — Nature  and  Grace — Illuminating  Grace — Faith  and  Private  Judgment — Faith 
and  Doubt — Prospects  of  the  Catholic  Missioner — Mysteries  of  Nature  and  of  Grace — The 
Mystery  of  Divine  Condescension — The  Infinitude  of  Divine  Attributes — Mental  Sufferings 
of  our  Lord  in  His  Passion — The  Glories  of  Mary  for  the  Sake  of  Her  Son — On  the  Fitness 
of  the  Glories  of  Mary. 

Lectures  on  the  Doctrine  of  Justification.    Crown  8vo.    3s.  6d, 

Contents: — Faith  considered  as  the  Instrumental  Cause  of  Justification — Love  con- 
sidered as  the  Formal  Cause  of  Justification — Primary  Sense  of  the  term  'Justification' — 
Secondary  Senses  of  the  term  '  J ustification ' — Misuse  of  the  term  '  J ust '  or  '  Righteous ' — 
The  Gift  of  Righteousness — The  Characteristics  of  the  Gift  of  Righteousness — Righteous- 
ness viewed  as  a  Gift  and  as  a  Quality — Righteousness  the  Fruit  of  our  Lord's  Resurrection 
— The  Office  of  Justifying  Faith — The  Nature  of  Justifying  Faith — Faith  viewed  relatively 
to  Rites  and  Works — On  Preaching  the  Gospel — Appendix. 

On  the  Development  of  Christian  Doctrine.    Crown  8vo.    3s.  6d. 

The  Idea  of  a  University  Defined  and  Illustrated.  l-  in  Nine  Dis- 
courses delivered  to  the  Catholics  of  Dublin ;  II.  In  Occasional 
Lectures  and  Essays  addressed  to  the  members  of  the  Catholic 
University.     Crown  8vo.     3s.  6d. 

An  Essay  in  Aid  of  a  Grammar  of  Assent.    Crown  8vo.    3s.  6d. 

Two  Essays  on  Miracles.  i-  Of  Scripture.  2.  Of  Ecclesiastical 
History.     Crown  8vo.     3s.  6d. 

Discussions  and  Arguments.    Crown  8vo.    3s.  6d. 

I.  How  to  accomplish  it.  2.  The  Antichrist  of  the  Fathers.  3.  Scrip- 
ture and  the  Creed.  4.  Tamworth  Reading-room.  5.  Who's  to  Blame  ? 
6.  An  Argument  for  Christianity. 

Essays,  Critical  and  Historical.    2  vols.    Crown  8vo.    7s. 

I.  Poetry.  2.  Rationalism.  3.  Apostolic  Tradition.  4.  De  la  Men- 
nais.  5.  Palmer  on  Faith  and  Unity.  6.  St.  Ignatius.  7.  Prospects  of 
the  Anglican  Church.  8.  The  Anglo-American  Church,  g.  Countess  of 
Huntingdon,  10.  Catholicity  ot  the  Anglican  Church.  11.  The  Anti- 
christ of  Protestants.  12.  Milman's  Christianity.  13.  Reformation  of 
the  XI.  Century.     14.  Private  Judgment.     15.  Davison.     16.  Keble. 


PUBLISHED  BY  LONGMANS,  GREEN,  &-  CO.  5 

CARDINAL  NEWMAN'S  WORKS. 

Historical  Sketches.      3  vols.      Crown  8vo.     3  s.  6d.  each, 

I.  The  Turks.  2.  Cicero.  3.  Apollonius.  4.  Primitive  Christianity. 
5.  Church  of  the  Fathers.  6.  St.  Chrysostom.  7.  Theodoret.  8.  St. 
Benedict.  9.  Benedictine  Schools.  10.  Universities.  11,  Northmen  and 
Normans.     12.   Mediaeval  Oxford.     13.  Convocation  of  Canterbury. 

The  Arians  of  the  Fourth  Century.    Crown  Svo.    3s.  6d. 

Select  Treatises  of  St.    Athanasius   in   Controversy   with  the 
Arians.     Freely  translated.     2  vols.     Crown  Svo.     7s. 

Theological  Tracts.    Crown  8vo.    3s.  6d. 

I.  Dissertatiunculae.  2.  On  the  Text  of  the  Seven  Epistles  of  St. 
Ignatius.  3.  Doctrinal  Causes  of  Arianism.  4.  Apollinarianism.  5.  St. 
Cyril's  Formula.     6.  Ordo  de  Tempore.     7.  Douay  Version  of  Scriptures. 

The  Via  Media  of  the  Anglican  Church.     2  Vols.     Crown  8vo. 
3s.  6d.  each. 

Vol.     I.  Prophetical  Office  of  the  Church. 

Vol.   II.  Occasional  Letters  and  Tracts. 

Certain  Difficulties  felt  by  Anglicans  in  Catholic  Teaching  Con- 
sidered.   2  vols. 

Vol.  I.  Twelve  Lectures.     Crown  Svo.     3s.  6d. 

Vol.  II.  Letters  to  Dr.  Pusey  concerning  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  to 
the  Duke  of  Norfolk  in  defence  of  the  Pope  and  Council 
Crown  Svo.     3s.  6d. 

Present  Position  of  Catholics  in  England.    Crown  8vo.    3s.  6d. 

Loss  and  Gain.     The  Story  of  a  Convert.     Crown  Svo.     3s.  6d. 

Callista.     a  Tale  of  the  Third  Century.     Crown  Svo.     3s.  6d. 

The  Dream  of  Gerontius.      i6mo,  sewed,  6d.  ;  cloth,  rs.  }iet. 

Meditations  and  Devotions.  Part  I.  Meditations  for  the  Month  of 
May.  Novena  of  St.  Philip.  Part  II.  The  Stations  of  the  Cross. 
Meditations  and  Intercessions  for  Good  Friday.  Litanies,  etc. 
Part  III.  Meditations  on  Christian  Doctrine.  Conclusion.  Oblong 
Crown  Svo.     5s.  net. 


A  SELECT  LIST  OF  WORKS 


BATIFFOL.— History  of  the  Roman  Breviary.  By  Pierre  Batif- 
FOL,  Litt.D.  Translated  by  Atwell  M.  Y.  Baylay,  M.A,,  Vicar 
of  Thurgarton,  Notts.     Crown  8vo.    7s,  6d, 

BROWN.— The  Book  of  Saints  and  Friendly  Beasts.  By  Abbie 
Farwell  Brown.  Illustrated  by  Fanny  Y.  Cory.  Crown  8vo. 
4s.  6d.  net. 

Catholic  Church  (The)  from  Within.  With  a  Preface  by  His  Eminence 
Cardinal  Vaughan,  late  Archbishop  of  Westminster.  Crown  8vo. 
6s.  6d.  net. 

DOBREE.— Stories  on  the  Rosary.  By  Louisa  Emily  Dobree.  3  Parts. 

Crown  8vo.     Each  is.  6d. 

DRANE— A  Memoir  of  Mother  Francis  Raphael  O.S.D.  (Augusta 

Theodosia  Drane),  some  time  Prioress  Provincial  of  the  Congregation 
of  Dominican  Sisters  of  S.  Catherine  of  Siena,  Stone.  With  some  of 
her  Spiritual  Notes  and  Letters.  Edited  by  Rev.  Father  Bertrand 
Wilberforce,  O.P.     With  Portrait.     Crown  8vo.     7s.  6d. 

The  History  of  St.  Dominic   Founder  of  the  Friar  Preachers. 

By  Augusta  Theodosia  Drane.     With  32  Illustrations.     8vo.     15s. 

The  History  of  St.  Catherine  of  Siena  and  her  Companions. 

With  a  Translation  of  her  Treatise  on  Consummate  Perfection.      By 
Augusta  Theodosia  Drane.  W  ith  10  Illustrations,  2  vols.  8vo.   15s. 

EMERY.— The  Inner  Life  of  the  Soul.  Short  Spiritual  Messages 
for  the  Ecclesiastical  Year.  By  S.  L.  Emery.  Crown  8vo.  4s.  6d. 
net. 

FLETCHER.— The  School  of  the  Heart.  By  Margaret  Fletcher, 
Author  of  "  Light  for  New  Times  ".     Fcp.  8vo.     2s.  6d.  tiet. 

Contents: — Falling  in  Love— Married  Life — The  Woman  of  Leisure. 

FOUARD.-THE  BEGINNINGS  OF  THE  CHURCH.  A  Series  of 
Histories  of  the  First  Century.  By  the  ABBfe  Constant  Fouard, 
Honorary  Cathedral  Canon,  Professor  of  the  Faculty  of  Theology 
at  Rouen,  etc.,  etc.     Translated  by  George  F.  X.  Griffith. 

The  Christ,  The  Son  of  God.  A  Life  of  Our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ.  With  an  Introduction  by  Cardinal  Manning.  With 
3  Maps,     2  vols.     Crown  8vo.      I4S. 

Saint  Peter  and  the  First  Years  of  Christianity.    With  3  Maps. 

Crown  8vo.     gs. 

St.  Paul  and  His  Missions.    With  2  Maps.    Crown  8vo.    gs. 

The  Last  Years  of  St.  Paul.  With  5  Maps  and  Plans.  Cr.  8vo. 
gs. 

St.  John  and  His  Work.  [In  preparation. 

GERARD.— The  Old  Riddle  and  the  Newest  Answer.     By  John 

Gerard,  S.J.,  F.L.S.     Crown  8vo.     5s.  net. 

***  This  is  an  inquiry  as  to  how  far  modern  science  has  altered  the  aspect  of  the  problem 
oft>ie  Universe. 


PUBLISHED  BY  LONGMANS,  GREEN,  &>  CO. 


Letters  from  tlie  Beloved  City.    To  s,  B.,  from  Philip.    Crown  8vo. 

3s.  6d.  net. 
Contents  :— Why  Philip  writes  these  letters  to  S.  B.— S.  B.'s  diflficulties  fully  stated— 
The  Good  Shepherd— I  come  that  they  may  have  life— Feed  my  Lambs— Feed  my  Sheep — 
One  Fold  and  One  Shepherd— Christ's  Mother  and  Christ's  Church— Unity— Holiness- 
Catholicity— Apostolicity— Our  Lady's  Dowry— War— Pacificatioa. 

Month  (The).  A  Catholic  Magazine.  Conducted  by  the  Fathers  of  the 
Society  of  Jesus.     Price  One  Shilling  Monthly. 

PETRE. — The  SouI'k  Orbit  ;  or,  Man's  Journey  to  God.  Compiled, 
with  Additions,  by  M.  D.  Petre.     Crown  8vo.     4s.  6d.  net. 

ST.   VINCENT  DE  PAUL. -History  of  St.  Vincent  de  Paul, 

Founder  of  the  Congregation  of  the  Mission  (Vincentians),  and  of  the 
Sisters  of  Charity.  By  Monseigneur  Bougaud,  Bishop  of  Laval. 
Translated  from  the  Second  French  Edition  by  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Brady,  CM.  With  an  Introduction  by  His  Eminence  Cardinal 
Vaughan,  late  Archbishop  of  Westminster.  With  2  Portraits. 
2  vols.      8vo.      i6s.  Jict, 

Roads  to  Rome  :  being  Personal  Records  of  some  of  the  more  recent 
Converts  to  the  Catholic  Faith.  With  an  Introduction  by  His 
Eminence  Cardinal  Vaughan,  late  Archbishop  of  Westminster. 
Compiled  and  Edited  by  the  Author  of  "  Ten  Years  in  Anglican 
Orders".      Crown  8vo.      7s.  6d.  net. 

*t:*  Among  the  Contributors  are  Lord  Brampton  (Sir  Henry  Hawkins);  Sir  Henry 
Bellin^ham,  Bart. ;  Dr.  Edward  Berdoe ;  Monsignor  Croke  Robinson ;  The  Bishop  of  Clifton  : 
The  Rev.  Bede  Camm,  O.S.B.;  Miss  Adeline  Sergeant;  The  Bishop  of  Emmaus ;  C.  Kegan 
Paul,  Esq.;  The  Rev.  W.  O.  Sut  cliff e ;  and  the  Bishop  of  Hexham  and  Newcastle. 

ROSE.— Studies  on  the  Gospels.  By  Vincent  Rose,  O.P.,  Professor 
in  the  University  of  Fnbourg.  Authorised  English  Version,  by 
Robert  Eraser,  D.D.,  Domestic  Prelate  to  H.H.  Pius  X.  Crown  8vo. 
6s.  net. 

SHAH  AN.— Saint  Patrick  in  History.     By  the  Very  Rev.  Thomas 

J.  Shahan,  D.D.      Fcp.  8vo.      2s.  net. 

SHEEHAN.— Luke  Delmege.  A  Novel.  By  P.  A.  Sheehan,  D.D., 
Parish  Priest,  Donerailc,  Co.  Cork,  Author  of  "My  New  Curate". 
Crown  8vo.     6s. 

THURSTON.— Lent  and  Holy  Week:  Chapters  on  Catholic  Ob- 
servance and  Ritual.  By  Herbert  Thurston,  S.J.  With  3  Plates 
and  14  Illustrations  in  the  text.     Crown  8vo.     6s.  net. 

TYRRELL.— Works  by  George  Tyrrell,  S.J.: 

The    Faith    of  the    Millions  :    Essays.      First   and    Second    Series. 
Crown  8vo.     5s.  net  each. 

First  Series:  Introduction — i.  A  more  Excellent  Way — 2.  Wiseman:  his  Aims  and 
Methods — 3.  The  Prospects  of  Reunion — 4.  "Liberal"  Catholicism — 5.  "Rationalism  in 
Religion" — 6  Sabatier  on  (he  Vitality  of  Dogmas — 7.  Authority  and  Evolution,  the  Life 
of  Catholic  Dogma — 8.  "  The  Mind  of  the  Church  " — 9.  The  Use  of  Scholasticism — 10.  The 
Relation  of  Theology  to  Devotion — 11  What  is  Mysticism  ?— 12.  The  True  and  the  False 
Mysticism. 

Second  Series:  13.  Juliana  of  Norwich — 14.  Poet  and  Mystic — 15.  Two  Estimates  of 
Catholic  Life — 16.  A  Lite  of  De  Lamennais — 17.  Lippo,  the  Man  and  the  Artist — 18.  Through 
Art  to  Faith—  19.  Tracts  for  the  Million — 20.  An  Apostle  of  Naturalism — 21.  "The  Making 
of  Religion  "— aa.  Adaptibility  as  a  Proof  of  Religion — 23.  Idealism  in  Straits. 


^  SELECT  LIST  OF  WORKS. 


TYRRELL,— Works  by  George  Tyrrell,  S.J.  (continued). 

Nova  et  Vetera  :  informal  Meditations.     Crown  8vo.     5s.  7iet. 
Hard  Sayings  ;  a  Selection  of  Meditations  and  Studies.   Cr.  8vo.   5s.  net. 
Lex  Orandi ;  or,  Prayer  and  Creed.     Crown  8vo.     5s.  net. 

WARD. — One   Poor    Scruple :    a   Novel.      By   Mrs.   Wilfrid   Ward. 
Crown  8vo.     6s. 

WARD,— Works  by  Wilfrid  Ward. 

Problems  and  Persons.    8vo.    14s.  net. 

Contents: — The  Time-Spirit  of  the  Nineteenth  Century — The  Rigidity  of  Rome — Un- 
changing Dogma  and  Changeful  Man — Balfour's  'The  Foundations  of  Belief — Candour 
in  Biography — Tennyson — Thomas  Henry  Huxley — Two  Mottoes  of  Cardinal  Newman — 
Newman  and  Renan — Some  Aspects  of  the  Life-work  of  Cardinal  Wiseman — The  Life  of 
Mrs.  Augustus  Craven. 

Aubrey  De  Vere  :  a  Memoir  based  on  his  unpublished  Diaries  and 
Correspondence.  With  2  Portraits  and  2  other  Illustrations.  8vo, 
14s.  net. 

*^*  Among  other  items  of  interest  the  volume  contains  contemporary  records  of  Mr.  De 
Vere's  intercourse  with  Wordsivorth,  Tennyson,  Carlyle,  Browning  and  Cardinal  Newman; 
considerable  selections  from  his  correspondence  with  Sarah  Coleridge,  Sir  Henry  Taylor  and 
Mrs.  Edward  Villiers  (mother  of  the  Dowager  Lady  Lytton),  and  contemporary  descriptions 
of  incidents  of  the  Irish  Famine  of  1846-7.  Some  hitherto  unpublished  letters  from  Cardinal 
Newman  are  also  included  in  the  volume. 

The  Life  and  Times  of  Cardinal  Wiseman.  With  3  Portraits. 
2  vols.     Crown  8vo.     los.  net. 

WYATT-DAVIES.— A  History  of  England  for  Catholic  Schools, 

By  E.  Wyatt-Davies,  M.A.     With  14  Maps.     Crown  8vo.     3s.  6d. 

STONYHURST  PHILOSOPHICAL  SERIES. 

Edited  by  RICHARD  F.  CLARKE,  S.J. 
Psychology:  Empirical  and  Rational.    By  Michael  Maher,  s.J. 

Crown  8vo.     5s.  6d. 
Logic.     By  Richard  F.  Clarke,  S.J.,  D.D.     Crown  8vo.     5s. 
First  Principles  of  Knowledge,     By  John  Rickaby,  s.J.     Third 

Edition.     Crown  8vo.     5s. 

Moral  Philosophy   (Ethics   and    Natural   Law),     By   Joseph 

Rickaby,  S.J.     Third  Edition.     Crown  8vo.     5s. 
General  Metaphysics,    By  John  Rickaby,  S.J.    Crown  8vo.    5s. 
Natural  Theology,     By  Bernard  Boedder,  s.J.    Crown  8vo.  6s.  6d. 
Political   Economy,      By  Charles  S.    Devas,  D.Litt.,  M.A.  Lond. 

Second  Edition,  Re-written  and  Enlarged.     Crown  Svo.     7s.  6d. 

ENGLISH  MANUALS  OF  CATHOLIC  THEOLOGY, 

Outlines  of  Dogmatic  Theology.  By  Sylvester  Joseph  Hunter, 
of  the  Society  of  Jesus.     Crown  8vo.     3  vols.,  6s.  6d.  each. 


10,000/11/04. 


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